Tanner Brown

Tanner Reid Brown Bio

Tanner Reid Brown is an American professional football placekicker currently playing for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Born on December 28, 1999, in Santa Clarita, California, Brown has built a reputation as a powerful leg with exceptional range, most notably showcased during his time in the United Football League. After beginning his college football journey at Community College of the Canyons, he developed into one of the top placekickers in the country during his tenure at Oklahoma State University. Although he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Brown signed with the Los Angeles Rams and has continued his professional career through multiple organizations, ultimately finding significant success in the UFL before returning to the NFL with New Orleans.

Early Life and Background

Tanner Reid Brown was born on December 28, 1999, in Santa Clarita, California, where he attended Saugus High School. Brown spent his early athletic years playing soccer before deciding to try out for football as a sophomore. He continued playing both sports throughout the remainder of his high school career, eventually focusing on his placekicking abilities. As a senior, Brown connected on 7 of his 11 field goal attempts and made 16 of 18 extra point attempts while serving as the team primary placekicker. He also handled punting duties, averaging approximately 33.6 yards per punt across 37 attempts for a total of 1,242 yards during the 2017 season.

Brown demonstrated his versatility and leg strength throughout his high school tenure, qualities that would define his future kicking career. He graduated from Saugus High School as part of the class of 2018, having established himself as a dual-threat special teams player capable of contributing at both placekicker and punter positions. His performance at the high school level attracted attention from college programs seeking specialists with raw power and consistency.

Path to Professional Football

Brown began his collegiate career at College of the Canyons in 2018, where he served as both placekicker and punter for the Cougars. His contributions helped the team capture back-to-back division championships in 2018 and 2019. Brown earned All-American honors along with all-conference selections at both positions during his tenure. At placekicker, he made 28 of 38 field goal attempts and converted 100 of 102 extra point attempts, showcasing the consistency that would become his trademark. After two successful seasons at the junior college level, Brown sought opportunities at the NCAA Division I FBS level.

Brown walked on to play for the UNLV Rebels in 2020, appearing in six games during the COVID-19-shortened season. He handled 24 kickoffs and contributed 12 punts, gaining valuable experience at the FBS level despite limited opportunities. Seeking a more significant role, Brown contacted coaches nationwide and received only one response, from a special teams analyst at Oklahoma State University. He joined the Cowboys as a walk-on and quickly earned substantial playing time, taking over kickoff duties starting in the second game of his first season and eventually handling all field goal and extra point responsibilities for the final 10 games.

Tanner Reid Brown Career

Oklahoma State Cowboys (2021–2022)

Brown emerged as one of the top placekickers in college football during his two seasons at Oklahoma State. In his first year with the Cowboys, he was successful on all 36 extra point attempts and made 17 of 21 field goals, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. His ability to deliver under pressure caught the attention of coaches and scouts, setting the stage for his breakthrough campaign the following season. Brown was named team captain for the 2022 season, reflecting both his performance and leadership qualities.

During his standout 2022 season, Brown converted 22 of 23 field goal attempts, including all of his extra points. His 95.7 percent field goal percentage ranked third nationally in the FBS, while his average of 1.83 field goals per game placed fifth and his 9.0 points per game average ranked seventh in the country. These exceptional numbers earned him second-team All-Big 12 Conference recognition and made him a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the best placekicker in college football. Despite playing only two seasons with Oklahoma State, Brown scored 195 total points, ranking 15th in school history.

Los Angeles Rams (2023–2024)

After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Brown signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He was one of two kickers signed by the team to compete for the starting role during training camp. Brown outlasted his competition when Christopher Dunn was released in June, leaving Brown as the only kicker on the roster. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023.

Brown remained connected to the Rams organization, signing a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2024. He was waived again in August before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 17 following an injury to starting kicker Joshua Karty. Brown was released from the practice squad on October 1, 2024, but continued pursuing opportunities in professional football.

Atlanta Falcons (2024)

Brown signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on December 16, 2024, providing him with another opportunity to continue his NFL career. He was released by Atlanta just two days later, prompting him to explore other professional options outside the traditional NFL structure.

Louisville Kings and UFL Success (2026)

Brown joined the Louisville Kings of the United Football League on January 14, 2026, marking a new chapter in his professional career. He wasted no time making an impact, hitting a 60-yard four-point field goal in a 33-30 victory over the DC Defenders on May 16, 2026. The exceptional kick demonstrated the powerful leg strength that had become his signature attribute throughout his career.

Brown continued his remarkable performance during the UFL playoffs, scoring another 60-yard four-point field goal against the St. Louis Battlehawks on June 7. In the same game, he added a 63-yard four-point field goal, becoming the only kicker in professional football history to score two 60-yard field goals in a single game. His exceptional season earned him UFL champion honors, UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, a spot on the All-UFL Team, and the UFL field goals leader title.

New Orleans Saints (2026–Present)

Brown signed with the New Orleans Saints on June 17, 2026, returning to the NFL and joining the Saints roster as their placekicker. His remarkable leg strength and proven track record in the UFL provided him with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of professional football once again.

Driving Style and Strengths

Brown has established himself as a placekicker with exceptional leg strength and remarkable range, as evidenced by his ability to consistently convert field goals from 60 yards and beyond. His four-point field goal attempts in the UFL demonstrated power that few kickers in professional football possess. Brown has shown versatility throughout his career, handling both placekicking and punting duties at various levels, which speaks to his overall special teams acumen and adaptability to different coaching systems.

Notable Events and Milestones

Brown’s most historic achievement came during the 2026 UFL season when he became the only kicker in professional football history to score two 60-yard field goals in a single game. This feat occurred during the UFL playoffs against the St. Louis Battlehawks and immediately following his earlier 60-yard conversion earlier that same month. His 2022 season at Oklahoma State, where he earned Lou Groza Award semifinalist honors and second-team All-Big 12 recognition, represented his emergence as one of college football elite kickers.

Tanner Reid Brown Career Wins

Brown career statistics reflect his journey through multiple professional leagues and his consistent ability to convert field goals at a high rate. His most decorated professional season came in the UFL with Louisville, where he led the league in field goals and earned individual accolades while helping his team to a championship.

UFL Highlights

During the 2026 UFL season with Louisville, Brown established himself as the premier kicker in the league, leading all players in field goals made. His signature moment came when he connected on two 60-yard field goals in a single playoff game, a feat unmatched anywhere in professional football. Brown earned UFL Special Teams Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-UFL Team while helping the Kings capture the league championship. His 63-yard field goal in that playoff game represented the longest verified kick of his professional career.

College and NFL Highlights

In college football, Brown was named second-team All-Big 12 during his 2022 season at Oklahoma State while being recognized as a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. His 95.7 percent field goal percentage during that season ranked third nationally among FBS kickers. In the NFL, Brown competed for roster spots with the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons organizations, gaining valuable experience in professional training camp environments.

Family

Personal Life

Brown maintains a primary residence in Santa Clarita, California, the city where he was born and raised. He attended Saugus High School in his hometown before embarking on his collegiate football journey that would eventually take him across multiple programs and into professional football. Information regarding his family members, spouse, or children has not been publicly disclosed.

2025 Season Performance

Following his release from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in late 2024, Brown entered the 2025 season seeking to establish himself with a professional team. The early portion of the year represented a period of transition as he evaluated opportunities across multiple leagues. His powerful leg strength and proven college track record continued to generate interest from organizations seeking special teams help.

Brown path during 2025 led him toward the UFL, where his performance with the Louisville Kings would ultimately define his season. His ability to convert long field goals at an exceptional rate demonstrated the skills that had attracted professional attention throughout his career. The UFL platform provided Brown with consistent playing time and the opportunity to showcase his abilities in high-pressure situations.