Who Are the Shortest Kickers in the NFL? (2023-24)
I’ve been a Sports Performance Coach for two decades and I’ve always found it helpful to show the players I coached the heights and weights of NFL players at their position. And although size doesn’t really matter for the success of a kicker, those guys love seeing how they stack up.
I did the same research this season that I do every year. I went through the 53-man active rosters for the 2023 NFL season, immediately following the final preseason cuts, a total of nearly 1700 players and broke them down by position.
By popular demand, I have put together this guide focusing on the NFL’s shortest Kickers. Get ready to learn some random, yet interesting, football facts that you can show off to your friends.
Shortest NFL Kickers
In the NFL, where the typical kicker stands just a little over 6’0″ tall, a unique group of players stands out due to their shorter size. The 7 shortest kickers in the league, all 5’10” or less, present an interesting contrast to the conventional height for their position.
Although height is generally considered less critical for kickers than for other positions, these players prove that success in kicking is more about skill, technique, and mental focus.
Blake Grupe
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 156 lbs
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- College: Arkansas State, Notre Dame
- Draft: Undrafted in 2022
- Years in NFL: 2 years
Cairo Santos
- Height: 5’8″
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Team: Chicago Bears
- College: Tulane
- Draft: Undrafted in 2014
- Years in NFL: 10 years
Jake Elliott
- Height: 5’9″
- Weight: 167 lbs
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- College: Memphis
- Draft: 5th round, 2017 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 7 years
Tyler Bass
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 183 lbs
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- College: Georgia Southern
- Draft: 6th round, 2020 NFL Draft
- Years in NFL: 4 years
Jason Myers
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Team: Seattle Seahawks
- College: Marist
- Draft: Undrafted in 2013
- Years in NFL: 10 years
Younghoe Koo
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 193 lbs
- Team: Atlanta Falcons
- College: Georgia Southern
- Draft: Undrafted in 2017
- Years in NFL: 7 years
Matt Prater
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 201 lbs
- Team: Arizona Cardinals
- College: UCF
- Draft: Undrafted in 2006
- Years in NFL: 18 years
Final Thoughts
This article on the shortest kickers in the NFL, all 5’10” or less, highlights that in the specialized role of kicking, height is not a defining factor for success. These kickers, from Blake Grupe of the New Orleans Saints to Matt Prater of the Arizona Cardinals, demonstrate that accuracy, power, and mental fortitude are far more crucial than physical stature.
Their careers in the NFL, marked by precision and reliability in high-pressure situations, underscore that effectiveness as a kicker is rooted in skill, technique, and consistent performance. These athletes represent the essence of specialization in football, where specific talents and dedicated training can lead to significant achievements, irrespective of height.
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