Chad Ryland Bio
Chad Michael Ryland is an American professional football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 15, 1999, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Ryland played college football for the Eastern Michigan Eagles and Maryland Terrapins before being drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. His journey from a multi-sport athlete to a Division I standout and eventual NFL player highlights his dedication and perseverance in pursuing his football career against the odds.
Early Life and Background
Ryland grew up in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and attended Cedar Crest High School. As a young athlete, he initially focused on soccer and baseball rather than football. It was not until he was convinced by his father to try out for the football team as a junior that his path as a placekicker began. Despite having no prior football experience, Ryland made the team and quickly proved his talent, earning all-league and all-county selections at placekicker in both his junior and senior seasons.
Ryland and his father developed a rigorous self-training routine, often sneaking onto the school’s athletic field after hours to practice kicking. When confronted by staff, they would briefly leave but return to continue training, demonstrating the work ethic that would define his career. His dedication paid off, as he was ranked as a five-star kicker and the 24th-best nationally at the position by Kohl’s kicking camps.
Path to Professional Football
Despite receiving interest from multiple programs, Ryland chose to walk on at Eastern Michigan University. He earned the starting placekicker job as a true freshman, beginning his ascent through college football. His second game remains a career highlight: a game-winning 24-yard field goal as time expired to upset heavy favorite Purdue 20-19. Though his freshman season saw inconsistent results with a 12-of-20 field goal conversion rate, he successfully made all 41 of his extra point attempts.
Ryland’s sophomore year in 2019 brought significant improvement, as he appeared in all 13 games and connected on 14-of-19 field goal attempts while making 35 extra points. He continued to deliver clutch kicks, including another game-winning 24-yard field goal against Illinois in the final seconds. The COVID-19-shortened 2020 season saw him earn second-team All-MAC honors with an 84.6 percent field goal percentage, ranking him among the top 20 kickers nationally. In 2021, Ryland set a single-season team record with 104 points, converting 19-of-22 field goals and all 47 extra point attempts.
Chad Ryland Career
College Career at Maryland (2022)
For his final collegiate season, Ryland transferred to the University of Maryland to play for the Terrapins. He completed his Eastern Michigan career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 309 points. At Maryland, he appeared in every game and delivered a standout performance, converting 19-of-23 field goal attempts including 3-of-6 from beyond 50 yards. His consistency earned him second-team All-Big Ten recognition, validating his status as one of the top placekickers in college football.
New England Patriots (2023)
Ryland was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie season presented challenges as he competed for the starting placekicker role. Despite a memorable moment in Week 16 when he made a 56-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to secure a 26-23 victory over the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve, his overall consistency was a concern. For the 2023 season, Ryland made 16 of 25 field goal attempts and 24 of 25 extra point attempts. His 64 percent field goal percentage was the lowest among qualified NFL kickers that season.
The Patriots waived Ryland on August 27, 2024, as part of final roster cuts after he lost the competition for the kicking job to Joey Slye. The release marked the end of his brief tenure with the organization that had drafted him just a year earlier.
Arizona Cardinals (2024–Present)
Ryland signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on October 2, 2024. His opportunity expanded when he was promoted to the active roster on October 15 following an injury to veteran kicker Matt Prater. He made an immediate impact, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in October after making three game-winning field goals and converting 8-of-9 attempts overall during the month. His clutch performances helped solidify the Cardinals’ special teams unit.
During Arizona’s December 8 game against the Seattle Seahawks, punter Blake Gillikin suffered an injury, forcing Ryland to step in and handle punting duties for the remainder of the contest. His versatility proved valuable to the team. On March 8, 2026, Ryland re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year contract, securing his place with the organization for the foreseeable future.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ryland has demonstrated the ability to make long-distance field goals, including his 56-yard game-winner against the Broncos. His strength lies in clutch situations, having delivered multiple game-winning kicks throughout his college and professional career. His leg strength allows him to handle kickoffs effectively, recording 113 career touchbacks. His versatility was on display when called upon to punt during an emergency situation with the Cardinals.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ryland’s college career was highlighted by several dramatic kicks, including two game-winning field goals against Big Ten opponents Purdue and Illinois. His professional milestone came with the dramatic Christmas Eve 56-yard field goal against Denver. His October 2024 stretch with the Cardinals, which earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors, represented his strongest sustained NFL performance to date.
Chad Ryland Career Wins
Ryland has accumulated wins across his collegiate and professional career through clutch kicking performances and consistent special teams contributions.
College Highlights
During his four seasons at Eastern Michigan and Maryland, Ryland established himself as one of the most reliable kickers in the Group of Five conferences. He finished his Eastern Michigan career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 309 points and set a single-season team record with 104 points in 2021. His collegiate resume includes two second-team All-MAC selections and one second-team All-Big Ten honor. He made memorable game-winning kicks against Purdue in 2018 and Illinois in 2019.
NFL Highlights
In his NFL career, Ryland’s most notable performance came during his October 2024 stint with the Cardinals, when he earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month by making three game-winning field goals. His career statistics include 69 field goals made on 90 attempts for a 76.7 percent success rate, with a long of 58 yards, 293 points scored, and 113 touchbacks through the 2025 season.
| Competition Level | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | Percentage | Longest FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 69 | 90 | 76.7 | 58 |
| College (EMU + Maryland) | 75 | 97 | 77.3 | 55+ |
Chad Ryland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Ryland’s family background beyond his father’s role in introducing him to football is not extensively documented in available sources. His father played a significant role in his athletic development, particularly in convincing him to try out for the football team and training with him during his high school years.
Personal Life
Ryland maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle c.ryland38. Beyond his football career, details about his personal life remain relatively private. He continues his football career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he has established himself as a reliable option at placekicker.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a pivotal year in Ryland’s NFL career. After joining the Cardinals mid-season in 2024 and earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors, he entered 2025 with an opportunity to secure the starting placekicker role. His performance during training camp and the preseason determined his standing on the roster. The Cardinals coaching staff valued his leg strength, versatility, and ability to perform in clutch situations. His late-season contributions in 2024, including stepping in to punt when needed, demonstrated his value to the team beyond just field goal attempts. The special teams unit’s improvement in 2025 directly correlated with Ryland’s consistency. As he continues to develop at the professional level, his goal is to eliminate the inconsistency that plagued his rookie season and establish himself as a long-term solution at placekicker for the Cardinals organization.