Matthew McCrane Bio
Matthew McCrane is an American professional football placekicker who currently plays for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He was born on September 8, 1994, in Brownwood, Texas. McCrane played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats from 2014 to 2017 before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Throughout his professional career, McCrane has been a journeyman kicker, spending time with multiple NFL franchises including the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions, in addition to his XFL tenure with the New York Guardians. He achieved his greatest professional success with the DC Defenders, where he became a UFL champion in 2025.
Early Life and Background
McCrane grew up in Brownwood, Texas, where he attended Brownwood High School. During his high school career playing for the Lions, he demonstrated his kicking abilities by converting 41 of 44 extra point attempts and 7 of 12 field goal attempts. Notably, he set the school record for the longest field goal at 52 yards, showcasing the powerful leg that would define his collegiate and professional career.
His standout performance at Brownwood High School attracted attention from college programs across the country. McCrane ultimately chose to continue his football journey at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, where he would develop into one of the most accurate kickers in college football history.
Path to Professional Football
McCrane arrived at Kansas State University in 2014 and played for the Wildcats under legendary head coach Bill Snyder. Over his four-year collegiate career from 2014 to 2017, he established himself as an exceptionally reliable placekicker. He converted an remarkable 133 of 134 extra point attempts and 57 of 66 field goal attempts throughout his college career. His career field goal percentage of 86.4% ranks second in Big 12 Conference history and seventh in NCAA Division I FBS history.
His stellar 2017 season earned him First-team All-Big 12 honors, validating his status as one of the premier kickers in college football. McCrane’s consistency and accuracy made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams, though he went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite not being selected, his collegiate credentials and powerful leg earned him an opportunity to continue his professional football career.
Matthew McCrane Career
Arizona Cardinals and Early NFL Journey (2018)
After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, McCrane signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. He was released during final roster cuts on September 1, 2018, but was quickly signed to the Cardinals practice squad on October 26, 2018. He短暂的效力后再次被释放，于11月17日重新加入球队激活名单，取代受伤的菲尔·道森。在对阵突袭者的比赛中，他完成了全部三次附加分尝试，随后于11月19日再次被豁免。
Oakland Raiders Breakthrough (2018)
McCrane signed with the Oakland Raiders on September 25, 2018, where he experienced his first significant NFL action. On September 30, 2018, in a game against the Cleveland Browns, McCrane delivered a standout performance by converting 3 of 5 field goal attempts and 4 extra points. Most impressively, he made the game-winning field goal for the Raiders in his NFL debut, immediately demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
However, his time with the Raiders ended on October 23, 2018, when the team signed Daniel Carlson, prompting McCrane’s release.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2018–2019)
On December 28, 2018, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed McCrane after placekicker Chris Boswell was placed on injured reserve. He made his debut for the Steelers in the regular season finale on December 30, 2018, against the Cincinnati Bengals. McCrane performed admirably, converting all three of his field goal attempts and his sole extra point attempt in a narrow 16–13 victory. Despite this promising showing, he was released by the Steelers on May 9, 2019.
New York Guardians XFL (2020)
McCrane was drafted by the New York Guardians in the 2020 XFL Supplemental Draft on November 22, 2019. He looked forward to an opportunity to showcase his talents in the spring professional football league. However, his tenure with the Guardians was brief, as his contract was terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, due to circumstances beyond the league’s control.
Cleveland Browns (2020–2021)
Following the XFL’s collapse, McCrane signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad on September 22, 2020. He demonstrated sufficient ability to earn a reserve/futures contract on January 18, 2021. His time with the Browns concluded when he was waived on May 11, 2021.
Return to NFL (2021)
McCrane returned to the Arizona Cardinals organization on September 16, 2021, signing to their practice squad. His stint lasted only five days before his release on September 21, 2021. Later that year, McCrane signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on December 25, 2021. He spent time fluctuating between the practice squad and active roster before being released on January 10, 2022.
DC Defenders Era (2023–Present)
McCrane signed with the DC Defenders of the United Football League on January 17, 2023, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He re-signed with the team on January 22, 2024, demonstrating the organization’s confidence in his abilities. The 2024 season proved to be a breakthrough year for McCrane professionally. On April 13, 2024, he experienced the best day of his career, kicking field goals of 58, 54, and 49 yards in a victory over the Arlington Renegades, with the final kick serving as the game-winner. His contract was terminated on September 17, 2024, to sign with an NFL team.
On September 18, 2024, McCrane signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad. He was released by the Lions on October 7, 2024. McCrane re-signed with the DC Defenders on December 2, 2024. The 2025 season with the Defenders culminated in McCrane achieving the pinnacle of his professional career when the team captured the UFL Championship. His journey through multiple organizations across both the NFL and spring football leagues had finally produced championship glory.
Notable Career Milestones
McCrane’s career has been defined by resilience and adaptability across multiple professional football leagues. His game-winning kick in his Oakland Raiders debut established his reputation for clutch performances. His record-setting 58-yard field goal with the DC Defenders in April 2024 showcased his powerful leg and ability to contribute in crucial moments. The crowning achievement of his career remains the 2025 UFL Championship with the DC Defenders, validating his persistence through years of bouncing between teams and leagues.
Matthew McCrane Career Wins and Statistics
McCrane has accumulated extensive professional experience across multiple leagues throughout his career since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2018. His journey spans the NFL, XFL, and UFL, providing him with a unique perspective and wealth of professional football knowledge.
Professional Career Statistics
In his NFL career, McCrane has appeared in games with multiple teams including the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. He has recorded 8 successful field goals on 12 attempts for a 66.7% conversion rate, with a long field goal of 47 yards and 5 touchbacks recorded. His most consistent professional football has come in the UFL with the DC Defenders, where his accuracy and powerful leg have been significant assets to the championship-winning team.
| League | Field Goals Made | Field Goal Attempts | Field Goal % | Long FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | 8 | 12 | 66.7% | 47 |
Matthew McCrane Family
Family Background
Specific details about McCrane’s family background and lineage are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook, where he occasionally shares glimpses into his personal life.
Personal Life
McCrane continues to reside in the United States while pursuing his professional football career. He has maintained connections to his Texas roots throughout his journey. His path through multiple teams across various leagues demonstrates his dedication to the sport and his ability to adapt to different professional football environments. Beyond football, he engages with fans through social media platforms.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented the culmination of McCrane’s professional football journey. Returning to the DC Defenders after his brief stint with the Detroit Lions, he played an integral role in the team’s pursuit of championship glory. His experience from previous seasons with the organization provided stability and leadership in the kicking game.
The DC Defenders’ 2025 campaign saw McCrane delivering consistent performances throughout the regular season, helping position the team for a deep playoff run. His familiarity with the team’s systems and his chemistry with teammates and coaches proved valuable as the season progressed. The veteran presence of a player who had navigated both NFL and spring football landscapes contributed to the team’s overall success.
The season reached its pinnacle when the DC Defenders captured the UFL Championship, earning McCrane his first professional championship title. This achievement validated his persistence through years of professional football across multiple organizations and leagues. The championship victory represented not only team success but also the personal triumph of a player who continued working toward his goals despite numerous obstacles throughout his career.