John Kimball Scott III Bio
John Kimball Scott III is an American professional football punter currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. Born on October 30, 1995, in Denver, Colorado, Scott has built a reputation as one of the most reliable punters in professional football. He attended Mullen High School in his hometown before accepting a scholarship to play at the University of Alabama. The Green Bay Packers selected Scott in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 172nd overall pick. Throughout his career, Scott has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and has earned multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors during his tenure with the Chargers.
Early Life and Background
Scott grew up in Denver, Colorado, where he attended and played high school football at Mullen High School. During his high school career, he demonstrated his kicking abilities by converting 13 of 25 field goals with a long of 59 yards and making 69 of 71 point-after attempts. He also accumulated 4,758 kickoff yards, showcasing the powerful leg that would define his future career. His performance attracted attention from several major college programs, including Arizona, Colorado, and Notre Dame.
Family played a significant role in Scott’s athletic development. His father, Kim Scott, was an All-American pole vaulter for the Wisconsin Badgers track and field team and placed fourth at the 1975 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. This athletic lineage provided John with a strong foundation in sports and competition. Ultimately, Scott chose to accept Alabama’s scholarship offer, setting the stage for his collegiate career under legendary head coach Nick Saban.
Path to Professional Football
Scott arrived at the University of Alabama in 2014 and immediately made an impact on the Crimson Tide football team. His powerful leg and consistency caught the attention of coaches and fans alike. In his freshman season, he earned recognition as a consensus first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, demonstrating that he belonged among the league’s top players. Several national publications, including Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and USA Today, recognized him as an All-American.
His continued excellence at Alabama solidified his status as a top NFL prospect. Scott earned first-team All-SEC honors again in 2016 and was named second-team All-SEC in 2017. Beyond individual accolades, he played a crucial role in two national championship teams, helping the Crimson Tide capture the College Football Playoff national title in both 2015 and 2017. These achievements under the scrutiny of college football’s highest level prepared him exceptionally well for the challenges of professional competition.
John Kimball Scott III Career
Green Bay Packers (2018–2020)
The Green Bay Packers selected Scott with the 172nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the second of four punters chosen that year. He signed his rookie contract with the Packers on May 4, 2018, officially beginning his professional career. Scott made his NFL debut in the Packers’ season opener against the Chicago Bears, a dramatic 24-23 victory where he punted four times for 192 yards.
Throughout his three seasons with the Packers, Scott served as the team’s primary punter. In his rookie year, he punted 71 times for 3,176 yards with a 44.73-yard average. The 2019 season saw him finish with 77 punts for 3,386 net yards and a 43.97-yard average. His 2020 campaign included 46 punts for 2,092 yards and a 45.5-yard average. On August 31, 2021, the Packers released Scott as part of their final roster cuts after acquiring punter Corey Bojorquez through a trade.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)
Scott joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ active roster on December 31, 2021, signing with the team late in the regular season. He appeared in one game with the Jaguars during Week 17 against the New England Patriots. This brief stint provided him with continued NFL experience while he sought a more permanent role with another organization.
Los Angeles Chargers (2022–Present)
On March 21, 2022, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Scott, marking the beginning of his current tenure with the franchise. He quickly became an integral member of the special teams unit. In Week 12 of the 2022 season, Scott delivered a standout performance against the Arizona Cardinals, punting six times with four kicks placed inside the 20-yard line and a long of 48 yards in the Chargers’ 25-24 victory. His clutch punting earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2022 season with 73 punts for 3,186 yards and a 43.6-yard average.
Scott continued his strong play in the 2023 season, producing even better numbers. His most impressive performance came in Week 13 against the New England Patriots, where he punted eight times with seven kicks placed inside the 20-yard line in a 6-0 win, earning him another AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. He closed the 2023 season with 75 punts for 3,475 yards and a 46.3-yard average. The 2024 season saw him maintain his consistency with 72 punts for 3,362 yards and a 46.7-yard average. In the 2025 season, Scott posted his career-best average of 47.9 yards per punt, finishing with 60 punts for 2,871 yards.
Playing Style and Strengths
Scott has established himself as a directional punter who excels at pinning opponents deep in their own territory. His ability to consistently place punts inside the 20-yard line ranks among the best in the league. His experience playing in high-pressure situations at Alabama under Nick Saban translated directly to his professional career, where he has demonstrated composure in critical moments. His leg strength allows him to boom long punts when needed, while his accuracy enables him to execute strategic kicks that limit opponents’ return opportunities.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Scott has accumulated impressive statistics that highlight his reliability. He has recorded 478 career punts for 21,707 yards with a 45.4-yard average, including 172 punts placed inside the 20-yard line and a career-long punt of 83 yards. His two AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards demonstrate his ability to deliver game-changing performances. Winning the honor twice in successive seasons underscores his consistent contributions to the Chargers’ special teams success.
John Kimball Scott III Career Statistics
Scott has amassed significant career statistics across his seven NFL seasons with three different teams. His punt average has shown consistent improvement, particularly during his time with the Chargers where he has developed into one of the league’s most reliable punters. His career statistics reflect a player who has maintained high performance standards throughout his professional career.
NFL Career Highlights
Over his NFL career, Scott has demonstrated remarkable consistency and durability as a starting punter. His career averages of 45.4 yards per punt and 172 punts inside the 20-yard line highlight his dual ability to boom punts for distance while maintaining exceptional placement accuracy. The 83-yard career-long punt showcases his leg strength, while his multiple AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors confirm his ability to make game-changing plays in crucial moments.
College Career Statistics
During his four seasons at Alabama from 2014 to 2017, Scott established himself as one of the premier punters in college football. His consensus first-team All-SEC selections in 2014 and 2016, combined with his second-team All-SEC honor in 2017, reflect his sustained excellence at the highest collegiate level. Being named an All-American by multiple major publications validated his status as a top-tier college punter before embarking on his professional career.
| Season | Team | Punts | Yards | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Green Bay Packers | 71 | 3,176 | 44.7 |
| 2019 | Green Bay Packers | 77 | 3,386 | 44.0 |
| 2020 | Green Bay Packers | 46 | 2,092 | 45.5 |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Chargers | 73 | 3,186 | 43.6 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Chargers | 75 | 3,475 | 46.3 |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Chargers | 72 | 3,362 | 46.7 |
| 2025 | Los Angeles Chargers | 60 | 2,871 | 47.9 |
John Kimball Scott III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scott comes from an athletic family with notable achievements in track and field. His father, Kim Scott, was an All-American pole vaulter for the Wisconsin Badgers and achieved a fourth-place finish at the 1975 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. This collegiate athletic success provided John with a genetic foundation for athletic excellence and a family tradition of competing at the highest levels of amateur sports.
Personal Life
Scott is married to Sydney Scott, whom he wed in January 2018. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in November 2018. Scott’s personal life has remained relatively private, with his family support system playing an important role throughout his football career. His ability to balance professional football with family responsibilities demonstrates his maturity and commitment to both his career and personal relationships.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another strong year for Scott as the Los Angeles Chargers’ starting punter. He continued to demonstrate the consistency and reliability that has characterized his tenure with the franchise. His ability to maintain performance standards entering his eighth NFL season speaks to his professionalism and dedication to his craft. The Chargers’ special teams unit benefited from his experience and consistent execution throughout the season.
Scott finished the 2025 campaign with 60 punts for 2,871 yards and a career-high 47.9-yard average, showcasing continued improvement in his net average. His placement skills remained sharp, with numerous punts strategically positioned to limit opponent return opportunities. This performance reinforced his value to the Chargers and solidified his status as a trusted member of the roster moving forward into future seasons.