The Bengals were in the 5th round of the 2021 NFL Draft and needed a new kicker to replace the often-injured Randy Bullock.

The picked a good one in Evan McPherson from the Florida Gators. He was accurate and had a very strong leg.

The Bengals did not know how much he would help them win so many key games in clutch situations.

During this rookie year, he has won the opening game against Minnesota, a prime-time game against Jacksonville, the AFC North clinching game vs Kansas City. His latest big kick came last night in 27 degree, swirling breeze giving the Bengals’ a 19-16 win over the Titans and a trip to the AFC Conference Championship.

The Evan McPherson File

Biography

A fifth-round draft pick and the Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in FG percentage (85.0), McPherson now makes the transition to the pro level … Also ranks 35th in SEC history in career points (302) despite playing only three seasons (2018-20) at Florida; he was on pace to land within the top five, had he returned for his senior season … Went 51 for 60 on FGs during his career, and 149 for 150 on PATs … Also served as the Gators’ kickoff specialist, and had 136 touchbacks on 241 career kickoffs (56.4 percent) … Touted by scouts for his strong leg, accuracy and competitive nature … Garnered attention on social media in college with a video of his version of the “bottle cap challenge,” in which he kicked a football from a distance to perfectly nudge a Gatorade bottle’s cap and make it fall off.

Career transactions: Selected by Cincinnati in fifth round of 2021 NFL Draft (149th overall) … Signed with Bengals on 5-17-21.

Assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons says: “One of the few pro days that I went to was at Florida, and he had a fabulous day down there. He was 21 of 22, with one miss being from 58 yards. He has a big leg. He has a lot of positive traits to work with, one of which is that he’s super competitive. He rises up in critical spots and tough spots. You want a kicker to obviously be good in clutch situations, and I think that he will show that.”

College highlights: Spent three seasons (2018-20) at Florida … Played in 37 career games … Left school as the Southeastern Conference’s all-time leader in FG percentage (minimum 50 attempts), at 85.0 … Went 51 of 60 on career FGs and 149 of 150 on PATs … Left Florida with 302 career points … Also served as the Gators’ kickoff specialist, and had 136 touchbacks on 241 career kickoffs (56.4 percent). 2020—Played in 11 games, and went 17 for 22 on FGs, including a school record four makes over 50 yards … Hit two 50-plus yard FGs against Georgia. 2019—Played in all 13 games, and went 17 of 19 on FGs, good for an SEC-best 89.5 percent. 2018—Played in all 13 games as a true freshman, and converted 17 of his 19 FG attempts.

High School: Attended Fort Payne (Ala.) High School, where he was the team’s kicker and punter … As a senior, converted a 60-yard FG and an 84-yard punt — each was just one yard shy of Alabama state records … Played in the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game.

Personal: Hometown is Fort Payne, Ala.

2021 Stats

28 0f 33 FG’s

84.85 PCT.

Longest FG 58 yards at Denver

Biography Courtesy Cincinnati Bengals Communications