Cam Little: From Moore, Oklahoma to the NFL’s Brightest Kicking Star
Early Life & High School Brilliance
Born on August 17, 2003 in Moore, Oklahoma, Cameron "Cam" Little attended Southmoore High School, where he excelled as both a placekicker and punter (Wikipedia).
By his junior year, his impact was undeniable—earning All-State honors from Tulsa World. His senior season featured a strong performance: 6-of-10 field goals (long of 49 yards) and a flawless 24-for-24 on extra points. These achievements helped him secure spots in the Adidas and Under Armour All-American games (SI).
National ranking services recognized him highly: rated a five-star kicker/punter, ranked No. 2 kicker by Kohl’s Kicking, and the top kicking prospect by 247Sports (Wikipedia, SI).
Razorback Glory: College at Arkansas
Little chose the University of Arkansas over other offers (Oklahoma State, Colorado, Nevada, Air Force) and made an immediate impact (SI, Razorbacks Wire).
Career Highlights:
-
Converted 53 of 64 field goals (82.8%) and remained perfect on all 129 extra points (Razorbacks Wire, Wikipedia).
-
Became Arkansas’s most accurate kicker in program history (Wikipedia, Waged War).
-
As a freshman, clinched a game-winning 37-yard field goal over LSU to reclaim the "Golden Boot" trophy (SI).
-
Earned First-Team All-SEC honors as a kickoff specialist in his junior year (SI, Waged War).
-
Launched a string of long-distance field goals: a 56-yard kick (7th longest in school history), and, in back-to-back games, made two 50-plus yard kicks against Texas A&M (SI, Razorbacks Wire).
Charity Off the Field:
Driven by personal inspiration—his cousin with Down Syndrome—Little began donating $10 per made field goal in his freshman year to the Down Syndrome Connection of Northwest Arkansas (DSCNWA). By 2023, he raised the amount to $50 per field goal, and pledged 100% of his jersey proceeds (Big Cat Country, Waged War). His efforts raised over $1,300, drew community support, and earned media attention, including an appearance on Good Morning America (Waged War, Big Cat Country).
NFL Journey Begins: Jacksonville Jaguars
Draft & Rookie Success
Cam Little entered the 2024 NFL Draft, skipping his senior year. Selected in the sixth round (212th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he became the youngest kicker ever drafted into the NFL (Wikipedia, Razorbacks Wire).
He won the starting kicker job by outperforming veteran Riley Patterson during training camp (Wikipedia, Big Cat Country).
Record-Setting Rookie Season
In his 2024 rookie campaign, Little delivered an exceptional performance:
-
Named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team (Wikipedia, Big Cat Country).
-
Made 27 of 29 field goals (93.1% accuracy—the third highest in franchise history for those with 20+ attempts) (Big Cat Country, Wikipedia).
-
Scored a franchise-rookie record 108 points, with his longest FG reaching 59 yards (Big Cat Country).
-
ESPN stats reflect similar stats—93.1% FG, perfect extra points, total 108 points, long of 59 yards (ESPN.com).
The Stunning 70-Yard Boot
On August 9, 2025, during the preseason, Little sealed the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a jaw-dropping 70-yard field goal—the longest recorded field goal at any level of organized football (Wikipedia, Big Cat Country, Reuters, News.com.au).
Although not recognized in official NFL records (preseason only), the kick surpassed both the preseason mark and Justin Tucker’s 66-yard NFL regular-season record (Big Cat Country, Reuters, Wikipedia).
Little went 4-for-4 in field goals that game (from 41, 40, 70, and 52 yards) and added one extra point (Reuters, Wikipedia). His teammates and fans erupted in celebration—Travis Hunter even greeted the kick with a midair body bump (The Economic Times, Reuters, Big Cat Country). Jaguars coach Liam Coen praised Little's confidence and leg power (Reuters, Big Cat Country).
Character Beyond the Field
Back in college, Little gained attention not only for his on-field performance but also for his sportsmanship. After an opponent missed a critical field goal, Little was among the first to console him, telling him, “Don’t let one miss define you.” That act of compassion went viral (KOCO).
Coupled with his charitable efforts, it’s clear Little carries a strong sense of empathy and leadership—balancing competitiveness with kindness.
Looking Ahead: A Future Bright as His Leg
Cam Little’s trajectory—from a standout in Oklahoma to an Arkansas record-holder to the youngest NFL kicker drafted—marks him as an exceptional rising star. His unmatched rookie accuracy and jaw-dropping 70-yard preseason boot make it clear the Jacksonville Jaguars may have found their long-term kicker.
As he continues to perfect his craft and grow both on and off the field, fans and analysts alike are eager to see just how high Little’s ceiling might be.
Post a Comment