Alumni Spotlight: Jake Bates (THS, '17)

Jake Bates, Tomball High School, 2017
NFL Kicker for the Detroit Lions

From Tomball, Texas to the bright lights and packed stadiums in the National Football League (NFL), Jake Bates’ athletics journey is a testament to his perseverance and talent. 

Representing Tomball High School as a 2017 graduate, Bates attended Rosehill Elementary, Tomball Intermediate, Tomball Junior High, and THS. A former standout soccer player who also was a member of the Cougar football team, went on to pursue his love for soccer at the collegiate level.

“I played club soccer my whole life, and always dreamt of playing college soccer,” Bates said.

Bates earned a soccer scholarship and played collegiately at the University of Central Arkansas. 

“My oldest brother played at UCA before me, so I grew up going to games there, and always wanted to go and play there.”

After two seasons of playing collegiate soccer at UCA, Bates rediscovered his love for football. 

When he rejoined his friends over the holidays, he began thinking more about his future.

“One of my good friends was trying to walk on at TCU to kick, so I started going out there with him and I’d kick every now and then,” he recalled. “From there, I started thinking maybe I could play in college too, so I sent film to almost every school I could think of, and Texas State was the only one to really give me a chance.”

And despite only limited action as a kicker for Tomball High School, Bates was able to walk-on as a kickoff specialist for Texas State University. He played there two years and notched 32 touchbacks on 60 kickoffs in 2020, and an average of 61.6 yards per kickoff before returns. The following season, in 2021, he averaged 62.8 yards per kickoff in 12 games, with 35 touchbacks on 53 kickoffs.

After earning his Business degree from Texas State in 2021, Bates wanted a chance to compete in his final year of eligibility, so he was fortunate to join the University of Arkansas Football team also as a kickoff specialist. Making the most of his one season, Bates earned first-team All-SEC honors for the Razorbacks, finishing third in the nation with 64 touchbacks.

Although Bates never attempted a field goal in college, he joined the Houston Texans in July 2023 after going undrafted that year. He went 2-for-3 on extra-point kicks in his exhibition debut, but was cut in August, spending less than 15 days with the Texans.

From there, Bates began working as a Sales Representative for Acme Brick in the Houston area but knew in his heart football wasn’t quite over. 

“I just truly didn’t want to be done playing football,” he shared. “I felt like I had so much still to give and I wasn’t ready to hang up my cleats.”

Shortly after, the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL) called. Bates signed with the Panthers in December 2023. 

The UFL season began in March, and in his very first game, in his very first official field goal attempt since high school, Bates nailed a 64-yard game-winner for the Panthers, the longest kick in UFL history. That kick is also tied for the second-longest recorded field goal in professional football history. He later went out and kicked two more field goals of 60 or more yards in 2024 and was named a 2024 All-UFL team in June 2024. 

Bates’ kicking abilities with the Michigan Panthers caught the attention of the NFL’s Lions, and after a season-ending injury to the starting kicker for the Lions, Bates was the guy. On June 18, 2024, Bates signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

During the Lion’s successful 2024 season, Bates kicked a 44-yard game-winning field goal sending the Lions to a win over the Vikings, and was also awarded NFC special teams Player of the Week for this feat. Just a few games later, Bates kicked a 58-yard field goal against the Texans to tie the game before hitting a 52-yard game-winning field goal in a 26-23 victory. Late in the season, he went on to achieve the Lions single-season franchise record for points scored.

Bates’ contributions in 2024 helped the Detroit Lions defend their NFC North title, where they finished the season with a 15–2 record, eventually losing in the Divisional Playoffs to the Washington Commanders. 

Bates made a name for himself as a rising star in professional football. 

“I’m still learning stuff everyday,” he said. “Luckily, I am in a situation with great coaches and players around me that are helping me every step of the way. I’m having a lot of fun and am very grateful for the experience I’m able to have.”

Now, as an NFL kicker, his story serves as an inspiration to young athletes striving to turn their dreams into reality. With a powerful leg and an unwavering determination, Bates continues to make his hometown of Tomball proud on the biggest stage in football.