Cam Little was just moments away from making NFL history during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preseason opener. He kicked a stunning 70-yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers to end the first half, narrowing the score to 14-9. His teammates quickly surrounded him for celebration before he headed to the locker room.
Broadcaster Bucky Brooks exclaimed, “Holy smokes, they got a shot!” as the kick soared through the air.
While Little’s kick surpassed Justin Tucker’s official record of 66 yards, set in 2021, it doesn’t count since it happened during preseason. However, it’s fascinating to note that this kick may be the longest in any known football competition. The previous college record was held by Ove Johansson, who made a 69-yard kick in 1976.
With such a powerful performance, Little is definitely a player to watch this season. The competition for breaking records is heating up, especially with Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who already has a 65-yard kick under his belt and nailed a 66-yarder last preseason.
The Jaguars drafted Little in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he had an impressive rookie year, making 27 out of 29 field goals with a longest kick of 59 yards. He also converted all 27 extra points and boasted an 85.5% touchback rate on kickoffs. This strong showing has garnered attention and excitement about his potential future in the league.
Before joining the NFL, he earned first-team All-SEC honors while playing at the University of Arkansas. Little was the third kicker selected in the draft, coming after Will Reichard and Joshua Karty.
This preseason, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Little can continue to build on his success and challenge for the longest field goal record in regular-season play. The excitement around him underscores a broader trend in the NFL: teams increasingly rely on kickers with the capability to make long-distance kicks, reflecting a shift in how the game is played.
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Jacksonville Jaguars, Justin Tucker, NFL, Bucky Brooks, preseason opener, Pittsburgh Steelers, field goal, NFL history, Cam Little, Holy smokes, Detroit Lions, Brandon Aubrey, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Joshua Karty, Will Reichard