Jeff Wolfert

Last updated

Jeff Wolfert
No. 6
Position: Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1985-10-22) October 22, 1985 (age 38)
Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College: Missouri
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Jeff Wolfert (born October 22, 1985) is a former American football kicker. He made his professional debut with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL). In three years as the Missouri Tigers' place-kicker, Wolfert was a perfect 185-for-185 on extra point attempts and set the school's single-season and career scoring records.

Contents

Early life

Before enrolling in college, Wolfert's career as a kicker nearly came to an end as the result of injury. As an underclassmen at Blue Valley West High School in Kansas, Wolfert excelled in soccer and diving. As a senior, he won a spot on the football team as a kicker. In his first and only high school football game, Wolfert ended up breaking his hip trying to drive the football into the endzone on a kick-off. [1] [2]

He also played soccer and was on the swim team, and was a standout prep diver, finishing in the finals of the state championships multiple years and gaining other various accolades.

College career

After graduating from high school, Wolfert enrolled at University of Missouri on a diving scholarship. He became an all-conference diver as a freshman, but was determined to play football again. [1] He tried out for the team as a sophomore walk-on in 2006 and made the team. He was Missouri's starting place-kicker from 2006 to 2008.

In 2006, Wolfert won a spot on the team as a walk-on and proceeded to convert all 45 extra point attempts and go 18-of-20 on field goal attempts. [3] In his first year as starter, Wolfert set University of Missouri single-season records for field goals (18), points by a kicker (99), consecutive PATs (45) and field-goal percentage (90%). [4] In April 2007, Wolfert was rewarded for his 2006 performance with a full football scholarship. [4]

In 2007, he set the all-time Missouri Tigers football single-season scoring record with 130 points on 21 field goals (21-of-25) and 67 extra points (67-of-67). [5] In his first two years at Missouri, Wolfert compiled a perfect 112-for-112 record in extra point attempts. [1] In 2007, Wolfert also helped lead his team to the Big 12 North championship, a #1 ranking in the BCS poll at the end of November 2007, [6] and a berth in the Cotton Bowl. [1]

In 2008, Wolfert completed his collegiate careers by scoring with 133 points, going 73-for-73 on extra point attempts and 20-of-27 on field goals. [7]

In three years as the Tigers' place-kicker, he never missed an extra-point attempt (185-for-185) and broke the school's all-time scoring record. [8] [9] At the conclusion of his college career, Wolfert told an interviewer that his records were a tribute to his team:

"I think it's a testament to our offense. We're really powerful and always in the red zone, so when they've been short of touchdowns, I've been able to knock down three points. A lot of touchdowns, too, and extra points with them." [8]

He was selected by Sports Illustrated in 2007 as an Honorable Mention player. He was also selected in 2007 as a first-team All-Big 12 player by the Associated Press , Dallas Morning News , Ft. Worth Star-Telegram , and Waco Tribune-Herald . [5] In three years as the Tigers' kicker, Wolfert never missed an extra point. [10] At the end of the 2007 season, USA Today also published a feature story on Wolfert, noting that his "extremely accurate right leg" had provided Missouri with the margin of victory in key games. [11] When asked by the USA Today about his streak of 87 consecutive extra points without a miss, Wolfert said:

""It's in the back of my head, but I try not to think about it too much because I don't want to jinx it. I'm just thinking about the snap and the hold, and really just keeping my head down, because I know if I keep my head down good things are going to happen." [11]

College Awards

Professional career

Wolfert had a minicamp tryout with the Chicago Bears, but was not signed. He also had tryouts with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. In 2010, he worked out with the New York Jets.

Wolfert was frustrated with not getting a chance in the NFL, and was actively pursuing a job. Seth Wickersham of ESPN attributed Wolfert's unemployment to a trend in the NFL in which teams valued kicking strength over accuracy. [12] Wolfert mentioned that in each of his tryouts, the kicker liked the most was the one who could kick the highest and farthest, and coaches did not seem to care about accuracy. [13] Saying of his quest for an NFL job, "They just keep saying, 'Keep knocking on the door. Your opportunity will come. Don't be discouraged.' That's kind of how it is. If you're willing to put forth the effort and the right offer comes in, hopefully you can make the best of it."

Omaha Nighthawks

Wolfert was a placekicker with the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks in 2010. He finished the 2010 season as the UFL's most accurate kicker, converting 9 of 10 field goals (90% accuracy rate). [14] He was also named to the 2010 All-www.ufl-football.com Team. [15]

Cleveland Browns

On July 26, 2011, Wolfert signed with the Cleveland Browns. [16] He was waived on August 28.

Wolfert signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns on January 3, 2012. [17] He was waived on August 18, 2012.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morten Andersen</span> Danish-American football player (born 1960)

Morten Andersen, nicknamed "the Great Dane", is a Danish-American former professional football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 25 seasons, most notably with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Following a career from 1982 to 2007, Andersen holds the NFL record for regular season games played at 382. He also ranks second in field goals (565) and points scored (2,544). In addition to his league accomplishments, he is the Saints all-time leading scorer at 1,318 points. Andersen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Along with Jan Stenerud, he is one of only two exclusive kickers to receive the honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Feely</span> American football player and sportscaster (born 1976)

Thomas James Feely is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. He started his playing career as a placekicker with the Florida Bobcats in the Arena Football League (AFL) as a free agent in 1999 before playing for several National Football League (NFL) teams. Since his retirement, Feely has worked as a reporter and analyst for CBS/Turner Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Wilkins</span> American football player (born 1972)

Jeffrey Allen Wilkins, nicknamed "Money", is an American former football placekicker who played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles and the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). With the Rams, he won Super Bowl XXXIV. He played college football for the Youngstown State Penguins. Wilkins is currently tied for second place all-time in most consecutive PATs without a miss at 371.

Remy Martin Hamilton is a former American football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Arena Football League (AFL). In college, he was an All-American for the Michigan Wolverines football team. As a professional, he played for the Detroit Lions of the NFL in addition to exhibition and training camp experience with the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears. He also played for the Grand Rapids Rampage, Carolina Cobras, Milwaukee Mustangs, Los Angeles Avengers, and Dallas Desperados of the AFL. In the AFL, he holds records for all-time career points and single-season kick points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Novak</span> American football player (born 1981)

Nicholas Ryan Novak is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football at Maryland and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Gould</span> American football player (born 1982)

Robert Paul Gould III is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Gould was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played with the Bears from 2005 to 2015, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2006, and became the franchise's all-time leading scorer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Suisham</span> Canadian football player (born 1981)

Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football for the Bowling Green Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Crosby</span> American football player (born 1984)

Mason Walker Crosby is an American professional football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado, and earned unanimous All-American honors. The Green Bay Packers selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Gostkowski</span> American football player (born 1984)

Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. A member of the New England Patriots for most of his career, he is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Gostkowski played college football for the Memphis Tigers and was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Patriots, where he spent his first 14 seasons. In his final season, he played for the Tennessee Titans.


Arthur Carmody IV is an American former football placekicker. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Vaughn</span> American football player (born 1984)

John Vaughn is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers.

Russ Purnell is an American football coach. He has served for 26 seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL, mainly coordinating the special teams units. He is one of only 21 NFL assistant coaches who have won at least one Super Bowl championship with two different teams. He was also the special teams coordinator for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Medlock</span> American football player (born 1983)

Justin Charles Medlock is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus All-American honors in 2006. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. Medlock also played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers, as well as the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Missouri Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel, who returned in his eighth season with Mizzou, and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.

The 2008 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bo Pelini and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The 2008 Valero Alamo Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 29, 2008 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and televised nationally by ESPN. The game was one of the 2008–09 NCAA football bowl games that concluded the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 2008 Alamo Bowl was the 16th annual edition of the contest and the second to be sponsored by Valero Energy Corporation. The game pit the Missouri Tigers (9–4) against the Northwestern Wildcats (9–3). The 2008 game was dubbed the Journalism Bowl by some in the media, owing to the nationally recognized journalism programs at each school: the Missouri School of Journalism and the Medill School of Journalism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Big 12 Championship Game</span> College football game

The 2007 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Game was held on December 1, 2007 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and pit the divisional winners from the Big 12 Conference: the Missouri Tigers, winner of the North division against the Oklahoma Sooners, winner of the South division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Missouri Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2009 Missouri Tigers football team, represented the University of Missouri in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel, who returned for his ninth season with Mizzou, and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Changes to Memorial Stadium for the 2009 season included a new scoreboard and expanded seating capacity following a reconfiguration of the student seating section.

Aaron Pettrey is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. He was formerly a kicker for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Pettrey was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals' roster on November 16, 2010, after a season-ending injury to Mike Nugent, another former Buckeye. Pettrey was waived by the Bengals on November 30, 2010. He was two for four on field goal attempts in two games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Zuerlein</span> American football player (born 1987)

Gregory ZuerleinZUR-lyne; is an American professional football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football at Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western. He previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chuck Carlton (December 26, 2007). "Missouri gets big kick out of junior: Former walk-on has been clutch for Tigers in Big 12 play". The Dallas Morning News.
  2. ↑ "Wolfert nears end of a surreal college career at Missouri". Kansas City Star. December 26, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Wolfert struggles to regain magic from 2006". Missourian. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Matter, Dave (April 18, 2007). "Wolfert's success pays off with scholarship". Columbia Daily Tribune.
  5. 1 2 "Jeff Wolfert Biography". University of Missouri. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  6. ↑ Mike Bushnell (November 27, 2007). "Tiger Notebook". The Maneater. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Back to the boards for MU placekicker". Missourian. January 22, 2009. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Ryan Gavin (October 13, 2008). "Kicking it up a notch: The Tigers' Jeff Wolfert slips into the record books". Mizzou Wire.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Missouri kicker sets career scoring mark: Missouri kicker sets career scoring mark". The Sporting News. October 11, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Hard for new Missouri kicker to match Wolfert's success". Missourian. August 11, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013.
  11. 1 2 R.B. Fallstrom (November 29, 2007). "Missouri kicker Jeff Wolfert hasn't missed last 2 years in Big 12". USA Today.
  12. ↑ "Wickersham: Strong legs in demand". April 8, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Former MU kicker struggling to catch on in NFL - Columbia Missourian". Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  14. ↑ Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine "2010 Statistics for the UFL Omaha Nighthawks"
  15. ↑ Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine "Jeff Wolfert News"
  16. ↑ Jeff Wolfert Twitter Account
  17. ↑ Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Cleveland Browns official website
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.