Zane Gonzalez: The Journey of an NFL Kicker

Zane Gonzalez is an American professional football player who plays as a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on January 7, 1996, in Plano, Texas. Gonzalez played college football at Arizona State University, where he was a standout kicker and set several school records.

He entered the NFL in 2017 as a fifth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns. Throughout his career, Gonzalez has also played for other NFL teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints. Known for his strong leg, Gonzalez has been a reliable kicker, both in terms of field goals and extra points, and has been recognized for his accuracy and distance on kickoffs as well.

Zane Gonzalez’s journey to the NFL began at Arizona State University, where he had an impressive college career. He became known for his powerful leg, setting the Arizona State record for the most career field goals made and his accuracy in clutch situations. Gonzalez's performance at the collegiate level earned him recognition as one of the top kickers in the country, and he was awarded several honors during his time at ASU.

After being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 

Gonzalez’s rookie year was challenging. He had some early struggles with consistency and was released by the Browns midway through the season. However, he found a more stable home with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, where he earned a reputation as a reliable kicker.

Gonzalez had his most notable season with the Cardinals in 2020, where he finished the year as one of the more accurate kickers in the league. His ability to convert long-distance field goals was one of his strengths, and he was praised for his consistency in pressure situations. In addition to his kicking abilities, Gonzalez has also been lauded for his kickoff skills, regularly putting the ball into the end zone for touchbacks.

In 2021, Gonzalez's career took another turn when he joined the Carolina Panthers after the Cardinals parted ways with him. Unfortunately, injuries have at times slowed his progress, and he has faced competition for his spot in the NFL.

Despite the challenges, Gonzalez has demonstrated a level of perseverance that has kept him in the league. Kickers like him often bounce between teams as they seek consistency, and Gonzalez’s career trajectory highlights how difficult it can be to maintain a long-term spot as a kicker in the NFL.