Tyler Royce Bass Bio
Tyler Royce Bass (born February 14, 1997) is an American professional football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Southern Eagles and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 188th overall pick. Bass has emerged as one of the most reliable kickers in the league, combining a powerful leg with consistency that has earned him multiple monthly awards and franchise records. His journey from a soccer background to NFL stardom reflects his dedication and adaptability under pressure.
Over his career with the Buffalo Bills, Bass has demonstrated the ability to deliver clutch performances in critical moments. He signed a lucrative four-year contract extension worth $21 million in 2023, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the Bills special teams unit. Throughout his professional tenure, Bass has continued to push the boundaries of his range, setting new franchise records and earning recognition across the league.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Royce Bass was born on February 14, 1997, in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. He attended Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, South Carolina, where he played both football and soccer. Bass credits his grandmother with convincing him to try out for the football team, recognizing his powerful leg strength developed through soccer. This decision proved pivotal, as Bass quickly showcased exceptional kicking abilities that set him apart from his peers.
Following his senior season at Dutch Fork High School, Bass was awarded the Chris Sailer award, presented annually to the best high school football kicker in the country. This prestigious recognition highlighted his status as one of the top kicking prospects in the nation. His performance attracted attention from multiple college programs, ultimately leading him to make his collegiate commitment.
Path to Professional Football
Bass committed to play college football at Georgia Southern University on January 31, 2015. He joined the Georgia Southern Eagles program and redshirted his true freshman season, using that time to develop his skills and adapt to the college level. During his redshirt junior season, Bass showed significant improvement, converting 19 of 21 field goal attempts and all 45 extra point attempts, demonstrating increasing consistency and confidence in his abilities.
His career at Georgia Southern was highlighted by multiple All-Sun Belt Conference selections, including first-team honors in 2018 and second-team accolades in both 2017 and 2019. Bass concluded his college career by participating in the 2020 Senior Bowl, where he made two field goals and converted all four extra point attempts against top collegiate talent. He developed a signature style during his final game at Georgia Southern, wearing eye black under only one eye as a tribute to his grandmother who had encouraged his football career.
Tyler Royce Bass Career
Rookie Season and Breakthrough (2020)
The Buffalo Bills selected Tyler Bass in the sixth round, 188th overall, of the 2020 NFL draft. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bills special teams coordinator Heath Farwell attended Bass’s pre-draft workout in Georgia when other pro days were being canceled. Bass signed a four-year, $3.475 million contract with the Bills on May 7, 2020. He quickly gained national attention by posting practice videos demonstrating his impressive range, including a 50-yard field goal without taking a step and a 60-yard kick with only one step.
During a shortened training camp, Bass competed against incumbent placekicker Stephen Hauschka for the starting position. He won the job after driving two and a half hours weekly from South Carolina to Birmingham, Alabama, for additional training sessions with the team’s long snapper and holder. The Bills released Hauschka on August 27, 2020, cementing Bass as their starting placekicker.
2020 Season Performance
In his professional debut against the New York Jets on September 13, 2020, Bass completed all three extra point attempts but went 2 for 4 on field goals, including a controversial 38-yard attempt that appeared to sail above the uprights before being counted. He rebounded strongly, making his next four field goal attempts over five games, including a 48-yarder against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 6.
Bass delivered his breakout performance in the Bills’ rematch against the Jets, converting 6 of 8 field goal attempts, including a career-long 53-yarder, as Buffalo won 18-10. He set multiple franchise records in that game, including the most field goal attempts by a Bills kicker in a single game. In week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, he made 3 of 4 field goal attempts with his only miss coming from 61 yards. The following week against the Arizona Cardinals, Bass made all three of his field goal attempts, each longer than 54 yards, with his longest being 58 yards. He became the first kicker in Bills history to make three field goals longer than 50 yards in one game, and just the second kicker in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
Bass finished his rookie season by converting 28 of 34 field goal attempts and 57 of 59 extra points, totaling 141 points. This broke Steve Christie’s 1998 franchise record of 140 points in a single season. He also set new franchise records for extra points attempted and made in a single season, surpassing Scott Norwood’s marks.
Continued Success (2021–2022)
Bass earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October 2021, converting all 51 extra point attempts and 28 of 32 field goal attempts during the season. He followed this with another standout year in 2022, receiving the same monthly honor for November. That season, Bass converted 27 of 31 field goal attempts and 48 of 50 extra points. His consistency was particularly valuable during the postseason, as he made all five extra point attempts and all three field goal attempts across the Bills’ two playoff games.
Contract Extension and Challenges (2023)
On April 20, 2023, Bass signed a four-year, $21 million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills, reflecting his importance to the team’s long-term plans. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September, continuing his pattern of monthly recognition. During the 2023 season, Bass converted 24 of 29 field goal attempts and 49 of 50 extra point attempts.
The season took a dramatic turn during the Divisional Round of the 2023-24 NFL playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs. Bass missed a game-tying 44-yard field goal attempt with less than two minutes remaining, which resulted in Buffalo’s elimination from the postseason. This miss drew comparisons to the infamous “Wide Right” miss by Scott Norwood in Bills history. In the aftermath, Bass deactivated his social media accounts after receiving death threats and harassment from fans. Bills quarterback Josh Allen publicly defended Bass, emphasizing that the team should never have been in that position to begin with. Bass reactivated his social media on February 15.
Record-Breaking Season (2024)
Bass rebounded emphatically in the 2024 season. During Week 9, he set a new Buffalo Bills franchise record for the longest field goal in team history, drilling a 61-yard kick with just 5 seconds remaining to secure a 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins. This kick came in a game where Bass had otherwise struggled, missing an extra point and having another bounce off an upright. He finished the 2024 season converting 24 of 29 field goal attempts and 59 of 64 extra point attempts.
Injury and Season Ending (2025)
The 2025 season began with adversity for Bass. On September 5, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to hip and groin issues. On December 1, it was revealed that Bass underwent surgery on his left hip and groin, officially ending his season. The Buffalo Bills signed veteran placekicker Matt Prater at the beginning of the season to assume kicking duties during Bass’s absence.
Tyler Royce Bass Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Tyler Bass has established himself as one of the most accurate and consistent kickers in the league. His career statistics through the 2025 season include 131 field goals made on 155 attempts, an 84.5% conversion rate, a long field goal of 61 yards, and 298 touchbacks. His consistency has resulted in numerous single-season records and franchise milestones.
Buffalo Bills Highlights
Bass’s tenure with the Bills has been marked by exceptional performance and record-setting achievements. He broke Steve Christie’s single-season points record in his rookie year with 141 points, a mark that stood for over two decades. His 2020 season also saw him become the first Bills kicker to make three field goals longer than 50 yards in one game. In 2024, Bass set the franchise record for longest field goal with his 61-yard kick against Miami. His 2021 and 2022 seasons saw him convert at exceptionally high rates, with his field goal percentage consistently ranking among the league’s best. Bass has earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, demonstrating his sustained excellence.
College and Pre-Professional Achievements
Before his NFL career, Bass built an impressive resume at Georgia Southern. He earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2018 after converting 19 of 21 field goal attempts. He was also a two-time second-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2017 and 2019. His high school career was highlighted by winning the Chris Sailer award as the nation’s top high school kicker.
| Competition Level | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | Field Goal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (through 2024) | 131 | 155 | 84.5% |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information regarding Tyler Bass’s family background remains largely private. Bass has publicly acknowledged the influence of his grandmother, who encouraged him to pursue football after recognizing his powerful leg strength from soccer. This family support played a significant role in his development as a football player.
Personal Life
Tyler Bass is known for his distinctive style of wearing eye black under only one eye, a practice he began during his final college game as a tribute to his grandmother. Following the difficult loss in the 2023 Divisional Round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Bass temporarily deactivated his social media accounts due to harassment and death threats from fans. He later reactivated them in February 2024. Bass maintains a presence on Instagram where he shares glimpses of his life away from football. Beyond his football career, Bass is an avid soccer enthusiast, having played the sport during his high school years before transitioning to football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Tyler Bass. He was placed on injured reserve on September 5, 2025, due to hip and groin injuries that had been affecting his performance. The Bills’ organization exercised caution with their star kicker, understanding the importance of his long-term health. On December 1, 2025, it was confirmed that Bass underwent surgery on his left hip and groin, officially ending his season before it could truly begin. The Buffalo Bills responded to his absence by signing veteran placekicker Matt Prater to handle kicking duties for the remainder of the season. As Bass continues his recovery and rehabilitation, the Bills remain committed to his long-term success, recognizing the value he brings to the franchise when healthy.