UTSA Kicker Stuns NFL Scouts with Unbelievable Pro Day

Jaffer Murphy, 24, defies stereotypical kicker expectations with powerful kicks and blazing speed.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:48pm

UTSA kicker Jaffer Murphy, 24, impressed NFL scouts at his pro day by making 12 of 13 field goal attempts, including a 70-yard kick, and running a 4.50 40-yard dash - a time that would put him among the elite draft prospects if he had performed at the combine. Murphy's unique skill set comes from his background as a former soccer player who transferred to multiple colleges before landing at UTSA.

Why it matters

Kickers who can both boom long field goals and cover kickoffs quickly are becoming increasingly valuable in the NFL as kickoff rules evolve. Murphy's combination of power and speed could make him an attractive draft prospect, potentially getting him selected rather than signing as an undrafted free agent.

The details

During UTSA's pro day, Jaffer Murphy defied expectations for a typical kicker. The 24-year-old, 6'1" 185-pound kicker made 12 of 13 field goal attempts, including an incredible 70-yard kick. He also ran a blazing 4.50 40-yard dash, a time that would have put him among the elite draft prospects at the NFL Combine. Murphy's unique skill set comes from his background - he began his college career as a soccer player at Drake University and Florida Gulf Coast before transferring to Lake Erie College and ultimately UTSA.

  • Jaffer Murphy made 12 of 13 field goal attempts and ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at UTSA's pro day on March 22, 2026.
  • Murphy recorded 54 touchbacks on 88 kickoff attempts during the 2025 college football season.

The players

Jaffer Murphy

A 24-year-old kicker for the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) who impressed NFL scouts with his powerful kicks and blazing speed at his pro day.

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What’s next

There is a very good chance that a kicker who can run a 4.50 40-yard dash like Jaffer Murphy might find himself drafted, rather than signing as an undrafted free agent.

The takeaway

Kickers with the combination of power and speed that Jaffer Murphy displayed at his UTSA pro day are becoming increasingly valuable in the NFL as kickoff rules continue to evolve. Murphy's unique skill set from his soccer background could make him an attractive draft prospect despite his relatively advanced age.