Who is Jake Moody? Jake Moody is a name that resonates with precision and calmness in American football. Born on November 23, 1999, in Northville, Michigan, Moody's journey from a high school athlete to a standout kicker for the San Francisco 49ers is nothing short of inspiring. Known for his clutch performances and record-breaking kicks, he has set numerous records at the University of Michigan and continues to impress in the NFL. From winning the Lou Groza Award to setting Super Bowl records, Moody's career is a testament to his dedication, skill, and mental toughness. Let's dive into 50 fascinating facts about this unshakeable kicker.
Key Takeaways:
- Jake Moody, a standout NFL kicker, overcame challenges and set records from high school to the professional level. His consistency, adaptability, and family ties to Michigan have contributed to his success.
- Moody's journey from Northville High School to the NFL showcases his exceptional talent and dedication. His achievements, including setting records at the University of Michigan and in the NFL, highlight his remarkable career as a top kicker.
Early Life and High School
Jake Moody's journey to becoming a top NFL kicker began in Northville, Michigan. His early years laid the foundation for his future success.
- Jake Moody was born on November 23, 1999, in Northville, Michigan.
- He attended Northville High School, where he began his football career as a 14-year-old who was 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds.
- Moody played both football and baseball at Northville High School. His versatility in sports showcased his athleticism and dedication.
- Despite a momentary meltdown at the South Hills Village shopping center in suburban Pittsburgh, Moody's parents confirmed that he never pitched a fit as a child, although that incident was due to illness.
- In high school, his kicks were notable, and he eventually became a standout kicker in the region.
College Commitment and Career
Jake Moody's college career at the University of Michigan was nothing short of remarkable. His achievements there set the stage for his professional career.
- In February 2018, Moody committed to the University of Michigan without a scholarship. This decision showed his confidence in his abilities.
- He was put on scholarship in June 2018, marking a significant milestone in his college football journey.
- As a true freshman in 2018, he set a Wolverines' single-game record with six field goals in a 31–20 victory over Indiana.
- During his time at Michigan, Moody set numerous records. These included single-game kick scoring (19 points) and most made field goals in a game (6).
- He also set single-season program records for made field goals (29), PATs (60), points scored (147), and 40-plus yard field goals in a season (10).
Awards and Recognitions
Jake Moody's talent did not go unnoticed. He received several prestigious awards during his college career.
- In 2021, Moody won the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation's top kicker.
- He was named the Bakken–Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year in 2021 and 2022, becoming the first kicker in Michigan history to achieve this feat.
- Moody earned consensus All-American honors in 2021 and second-team All-American honors in 2022.
- His performances were recognized by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, AP, and AFCA.
- Moody was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a member of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society in 2023.
Professional Draft and Career
Jake Moody's transition to the NFL was marked by significant milestones and impressive performances.
- In the 2023 NFL draft, Moody was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (99th overall).
- This made him only the second kicker since 2016 to be drafted in the top 100 selections.
- He was the fifth kicker since 2000 to be selected in the first three rounds.
- Despite being injured in the final preseason game, Moody was cleared as the starting kicker for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- He has since become a reliable asset for the 49ers, converting 21 of 25 field-goal attempts and 60 of 61 PAT attempts during the regular season.
Notable Achievements
Jake Moody's career is filled with notable achievements that highlight his skill and consistency.
- Moody's longest kick on the season and for his career is 57 yards, which he kicked in Week 2.
- He owns the longest kick ever made in Super Bowl history at 55 yards, marking the first points put up on the board in Super Bowl 58.
- At Michigan, Moody set a College Football Playoff record with a 59-yard field goal against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2022.
- In 2023, Moody recorded a touchback percentage of 60%, with 54 touchbacks total.
- Moody's family has strong ties to the University of Michigan. His father, Chad, and uncle, Douglas Horton, both attended Michigan.
Academic and Personal Life
Jake Moody's achievements extend beyond the football field. His academic pursuits and personal life also reflect his dedication and character.
- Moody is enrolled in the School of Kinesiology at Michigan, majoring in sport management.
- He owns career program records for points (355), field goals (69), 40-plus yard field goals (17), and tied-most 50-plus yard field goals (4).
- In 2017, Moody was an Associated Press All-State selection.
- Moody was a two-time Dream Team honoree by the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and MLive (2016-17).
- In 2018, Moody was a nominee for the Detroit Free Press Sports Awards Football Player of the Year.
Career Highlights and Records
Jake Moody's career is marked by numerous highlights and records that showcase his exceptional talent.
- Moody was a two-time KLAA All-Conference selection (2016-17).
- In 2021, Moody kicked a game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter against Nebraska on October 9.
- Moody became the fifth player in Michigan history to reach 300 career points with his third-quarter extra point on November 5, 2022, against Rutgers.
- He also became the third player in Michigan history to record consecutive seasons with 100-plus points.
- With four field goals against Illinois on November 19, 2022, Moody became the Michigan career field goal leader, with 65, passing Garrett Rivas.
Professional Performance
Jake Moody's professional career continues to impress with his consistent performance and reliability.
- Moody broke Desmond Howard's single-season scoring record (138 points) set in 1991 with his field goal in the second quarter during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl.
- He finished the season with 147 points, setting a new all-time Michigan scoring record.
- Moody finished his career with 355 points, surpassing the previous record of 354 points set by Garrett Rivas.
- Moody set the program record for longest field goal made at 59 yards, surpassing the previous record of 57 yards held by Quinn Nordin and Hayden Epstein.
- Despite being injured in the final preseason game, Moody was cleared as the starting kicker for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Consistency and Accuracy
Jake Moody's consistency and accuracy have been key factors in his success as a professional kicker.
- Moody has been a reliable starting kicker for the 49ers, handling various kicking duties with precision.
- In the 2023 season, Moody connected on 21-of-25 field-goal attempts and 60-of-61 PAT attempts.
- Moody has yet to miss a field goal inside the 30-yard line, with only three misses on anything inside the 50-yard line.
- Moody's touchback percentage of 60% reflects his ability to consistently place kicks deep into the end zone.
- Moody's game-by-game performance has been impressive. He has converted field goals and PATs with high accuracy, contributing significantly to the 49ers' scoring efforts.
Adaptability and Performance
Jake Moody's adaptability and performance in various conditions highlight his skill and mental toughness.
- Moody has performed well both at home and away. His accuracy in various stadiums, including SoFi Stadium, Lumen Field, and Acrisure Stadium, has been a testament to his adaptability and skill.
- Moody's performance has been consistent across different months. He has maintained high accuracy rates throughout the season, contributing to the 49ers' success.
- Moody's day-by-day performance has been notable. He has converted field goals and PATs with high accuracy on Mondays, other days, and Sundays, showcasing his reliability as a kicker.
- Moody has faced various opponents throughout the season. His performance against teams like the Packers, Rams, Commanders, Ravens, Cardinals, Seahawks, Eagles, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Bengals, Vikings, Browns, Cowboys, Cardinals, Giants, Rams, and Steelers has been impressive, with high accuracy rates in most games.
- Moody's accuracy varies by distance. He has yet to miss a field goal inside the 30-yard line but has had fewer successes beyond the 50-yard line.
Jake Moody: A Kicking Sensation
Jake Moody's journey from a high school athlete in Northville, Michigan, to a standout kicker for the San Francisco 49ers is nothing short of inspiring. His precision, calmness under pressure, and record-setting performances at the University of Michigan laid the groundwork for his professional success. Winning the Lou Groza Award and becoming a consensus All-American highlighted his college career. Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Moody quickly proved his worth, nailing crucial field goals and setting records, including the longest kick in Super Bowl history. His academic achievements and community involvement add depth to his impressive resume. Moody's story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and mental toughness. As he continues to excel in the NFL, his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.