Matt McCrane Bio
Matthew McCrane, born on September 8, 1994, is an American professional football placekicker for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 178 cm and weighing 79 kg, he has built a career as a reliable kicker across multiple professional leagues since going undrafted in 2018. McCrane has suited up for several NFL organizations, including the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns, in addition to stints with the New York Guardians, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions. He played college football at Kansas State, where he earned All-Big 12 recognition.
Early Life and Background
Matt McCrane was born on September 8, 1994, in Brownwood, Texas. He grew up in the same central Texas community where he would later attend high school. Brownwood is a small city that has produced a steady stream of athletic talent, and McCrane was among the notable athletes to come out of the local high school system.
McCrane attended Brownwood High School, where he played for the Lions football team. During his high school career, he developed into a dependable kicking talent, converting 41 of 44 extra-point attempts and 7 of 12 field goal attempts. Among those field goals was a 52-yard make, the longest in school history at the time. That early success foreshadowed the consistency he would later show at the college and professional levels.
Path to Professional Football
After completing his time at Brownwood High School, McCrane continued his football career at Kansas State University, where he played for the Wildcats under head coach Bill Snyder. From 2014 to 2017, he was a four-year contributor for the Kansas State program. He converted 133 of 134 extra-point attempts and 57 of 66 field goal attempts across his college career, finishing with an 86.4 percent career field goal rate.
That level of accuracy placed him second in Big 12 history and seventh in NCAA history for career field goal percentage. In 2017, his final college season, he was recognized as a first-team All-Big 12 selection. After his senior year, McCrane entered the 2018 NFL draft and went undrafted, but quickly signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent.
Matt McCrane Career
Arizona Cardinals (2018)
Matt McCrane signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He was released on September 1, 2018, but re-signed to the practice squad on October 26, 2018. On November 17, 2018, McCrane was promoted to the active roster following an injury to Phil Dawson. He handled the kicking duties in a game against the Oakland Raiders, making all three of his extra-point attempts, and was waived the following day.
McCrane was signed by the Oakland Raiders on September 25, 2018. In his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns on September 30, 2018, he converted three of five field goal attempts and four extra points, including the game-winning kick. He was waived on October 23, 2018, after the team signed Daniel Carlson.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2018–2019)
On December 28, 2018, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed McCrane after placekicker Chris Boswell was placed on injured reserve. McCrane made all three of his field goal attempts and his only extra-point try in the Steelers’ regular-season finale on December 30, 2018, a 16–13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He was released by the Steelers on May 9, 2019.
New York Guardians (2020)
McCrane was drafted by the New York Guardians in the 2020 XFL Supplemental Draft on November 22, 2019. His time with the team was cut short when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020. He signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on September 22, 2020, and was later signed to a reserve/futures contract on January 18, 2021, before being waived on May 11, 2021.
Philadelphia Eagles (2021–2022)
On December 25, 2021, McCrane was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. He moved on and off the practice squad before being released on January 10, 2022.
DC Defenders and Detroit Lions (2023–2024)
McCrane signed with the DC Defenders on January 17, 2023, and re-signed on January 22, 2024. On April 13, 2024, he enjoyed the best day of his career to date, making field goals of 58, 54, and 49 yards, the last of which was a game-winning kick, in a victory over the Arlington Renegades. His contract was terminated on September 17, 2024, when he signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad, but he was released on October 7, 2024. He re-signed with the DC Defenders on December 2, 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
McCrane’s professional career includes a game-winning NFL debut kick with the Oakland Raiders in 2018 and a memorable three-field-goal performance against the Arlington Renegades in 2024, including a 58-yarder that matched the longest in UFL history at the time. His career field goal percentage at Kansas State ranks him among the most accurate kickers in NCAA history.
Matt McCrane Career Achievements
Matt McCrane has been recognized as a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2017 and earned a UFL championship in 2025 with the DC Defenders. His accuracy at the college level ranks him seventh in NCAA history for career field goal percentage.
Matt McCrane Family
Personal Life
Matt McCrane was born and raised in Brownwood, Texas. Limited public information is available regarding his immediate family members or personal relationships beyond his hometown ties.
2025 Season Performance
Matt McCrane returned to the DC Defenders for the 2025 UFL season, where he plays a key role as the team’s placekicker. Building on his strong 2024 campaign, which included one of the most memorable single-game performances of his career, McCrane provides consistency in the kicking game for the Defenders. He has been a steady presence on field goals and extra points throughout the season.
McCrane finished the 2025 season as a UFL champion with the DC Defenders, capping a year that reinforced his reputation as a reliable late-game kicker. His experience across multiple NFL organizations has translated into a poise that has served the Defenders well in close contests. With a strong supporting cast and a stable role, McCrane is expected to remain a central part of the Defenders’ special teams unit in the seasons ahead.