The Michigan Panthers probably have a future NFL superstar on their hands. You might say that’s a bold statement to make about anybody who plays in the fledgling United Football League. When it comes to kickers, however, they’re a lot easier to evaluate than most positions. Their job description boils down to one task: How accurately and far they can boot the pigskin.
Not since Matt Prater’s prime, when he’d convert modest Tim Tebow drives to three points via lengthy field goals for the Denver Broncos, have I seen anything quite like the consistent blend of power and precision that Jake Bates puts on display. He broke out in a big way this season with a 64-yard nuke in Week 1, and continued on Sunday with another 60-yarder — his third make from at least that far on the year.
JAKE BATES FROM 60 YARDS 😱
This man doesn't miss in Detroit 🎯🎯🎯 @USFLPanthers pic.twitter.com/EsGly29oLM
— United Football League (@TheUFL) May 5, 2024
Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, us football junkies are starving for anything we can get. The UFL will have to do for now, and there isn’t a more electrifying talent in the league than Bates. At this rate, he’s going to give Ravens GOAT Justin Tucker a run for his money as the best placekicker on the planet. Quite something for a fellow who didn’t attempt a single field goal in college.
Fans and personalities across the X/Twittersphere are freaking out and/or showering Bates with praise for his leg-launching prowess.
JAKE BATES IS HIM 🎯 https://t.co/Xu6h2Qg91J
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 5, 2024
Jake Bates just hit a 60 yarder . already hit a 55 yarder today . he makes 60 yard field goals easier then #NFL kickers make xtra points . i wanted to see him do it again ater that crazy day . he does it WEEKLY . i never seen ANYTHING like it in life #UFL
— Gabriel Morency (@sportsrage) May 5, 2024
Jake Bates had never even attempted a FG before this UFL season. Has now made from 64, 62, 52, 55 and 60 through Week 6.
Would guess he's a few short months away from a legit NFL contract. Legend. pic.twitter.com/TUGxFF6oWl
— Cody Main (@cmain7) May 5, 2024
I think it's safe to say Jake Bates is going to be on an NFL roster this fall. https://t.co/hBUgaF95vE
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) May 5, 2024
Jake Bates range is crazy! Dude just hit a 60 yard FG with probably another 10 yards to spare. The Lions need to keep him in the same building this fall. pic.twitter.com/jGzvqvkhLV
— FB_Helmet_Guy (@FB_Helmet_Guy) May 5, 2024
Jake Bates is the next generation’s Justin Tucker – fav for later
— Justin Freeman (@JustinFreeman18) May 5, 2024
Jake Bates will be in an NFL camp this fall. I’m just curious to see how much money he’s going to get at this point because the man seemingly drills 60 yarders in his sleep #UFL
— Pierre Noujaim (@TheNoujFOX9) May 5, 2024
.@Lions IM BEGGING PLEASE SIGN THIS MAN
IT WOULD FEED GENERATIONS FOR CENTURIES
I NEED A JAKE BATES GOLD JACKET LIONS JERSEY https://t.co/phR0NY4Ecq
— Riley Greene’s Bulge (@GreeneSZN_) May 5, 2024
Jake Bates in Ford Field pic.twitter.com/0RiCdCoYot
— United Football Media (@The_UFM) May 5, 2024
Lots of Lions fans want Bates to stay right at Ford Field. Not that Dan Campbell is terribly inclined to send the field goal unit out on fourth down. He’s quite infamously aggressive, in fact. Never hurts to have a special teams weapon like Bates on standby, though — in particular when your team is fully ready to contend for a Super Bowl.
We just saw multiple teams use precious draft picks on kickers, which in a weird way, adds to the immense pressure on them. Pressure doesn’t appear to be a concept Bates is familiar with. To be a competent kicker given his lack of prior experience is impressive on its own. To emerge as a legitimate, cannon-legged revelation is another thing entirely.
Good for Jake Bates. The man is probably making himself millions of dollars. Or whatever it’ll be when he gets his inevitable crack at an NFL gig, it’ll be quite a raise from that Michigan UFL salary. If nothing else comes of the UFL and it proves to be another effort at spring football that falls short in the coming years, at least the league could hang its hat on unearthing a kicking sensation in Bates.
