The Raiders made the decision to let Daniel Carlson walk this off-season, and signed veteran kicker Matt Gay to replace him. Carlson, 31, a former 2x All-Pro completed a career low 22 of 27 field goals, for an 81.5% rate through his 2025 season including converting just 5 of eight 50+ yard attempts. Carlson had seen his FG rate decline each season since 2020 falling from 94.3% to 81.5% including a steep jump down from 2024 to 2025 where it fell from 85% to 81.5%. Additionally, Carlson has struggled
from 50+ after converting 21/24 (87.5%) from 2020 to 2022. Since 2022, he’s just 13/22 (59.1%). As for Matt Gay, the one time All-Pro is coming off a relatively poor 2025 himself converting just 17 of 23 attempts (74%) and 4 of 9 from 50+. Since his All-Pro season in 2021, where he converted 32 of 34 and 5/5 on 50+ attempts, with another 8/10 during the Rams super bowl run, he’s just 109/131 (83.2%) and a shocking 22/40 from 50+. Gay has connection with Raiders ST coordinator Joe DeCamilis, who coached him during that 2021 season, but the Raiders are still searching for more special teams additions. The team has met with numerous kickers, and a few long snappers as well as they look to go young on special teams. After letting long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer walk, Las Veags has former Rams snapper Alex Ward, who was released from LA last season after struggling mid way through the season, though they’re still looking for competition.
A key thing to note on special teams for college is the wider hashes make angles difficult, and as a result usually lead to lower rates of successful attempts. In addition, the collegiate long snapping/holding is far less on par with the NFL which can lead to some missed kicks, also shown by the NCAA career FG% record being just 89%.
Kickers:
Trey Smack, Florida (Consensus: Late 7th)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 201 | Games: 44
Career: 54/64 FG (82.8%), 100/101 PAT (99%) | 14/19 40-49 yards, 10/13 50+ yards
Smack, widely considered the best kicker in the class, converted 81.8% of his attempts in 2025 after 86% of his attempts in 2024. He’s been highly consistent in his career, especially from 50+ which is a key note, and the Gators product does show an ability to hit from 55+ consistently. Smack shows a smooth motion, with effortless fluid kicks, and he’ll refine accuracy working more towards the middle of the field.
Dom Zvada, Michigan (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’3 | WT: 187 | Games: 51
Career: 72/87 FG (82.8%), 140/142 PAT (98.6%) | 21/26 40-49 yards, 11/13 50+ yards
Zvada has been incredibly inconsistent during his career converting 94.4% of his attempts in 2022 at Arkansas State then 77.3% in 2023. He transferred to Michigan, converting 95.5%, which led the FBS, in 2024, before a terrible 2025 season where he logged just a 68% completion rate. Zvada will need to find consistency, and with that comes consistency in his kicking motion which changed between 2023, 2024, and 2025 causing some issues. The Michigan kicker, does show an exceptional leg, which will get him a good shot on NFL rosters, along with his ability to be unphased by intensity.
Will Ferrin, BYU (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’3 | WT: 175 | Games: 49
Career: 58/71 FG (81.7%), 122/123 PAT (99.2%) | 14/21 40-49 yards, 8/13 50+ yards
The first kicker the Raiders have met with, Ferrin, has been consistent in his career, though an injury to end 2025 led to some poor standards with a 76.7% field goal rate. He shows among the best, if not the best, pure leg in the class, and Ferrin can consistently impact the game beyond 50+ yards, though he’ll need to clean up some accuracy issues. He’s shown an ability to adapt to NFL style kickoffs, which will be desired, unlike many other kickers in the class, but Ferrin does showcase some inconsistencies in his 30-45 range that will need to be cleaned at the NFL level. He’s also shown an ability in pre game warmups to hit from 70+.
Kansei Matsuzawa (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 200 | Games: 25
Career: 39/45 FG (86.7%), 72/72 PAT (100%) | 12/13 40-49 yards, 1/2 50+ yards
The “Tokyo Toe” saw a fantastic 2025 season, where he was named an All-American and converted 27 of 29 attempts and was a perfect 40/40 on extra points. He shows a good leg, but wasn’t tasked much with 50+ attempts, a big test that will need to be discovered during training camp and the pre-season. Additionally, Matsuzawa wasn’t tasked much with high intensity kicks, and Hawaii consistently put him on the right hash, something NFL teams will attempt to but can’t do at the same rates of Hawaii. He’s an intriguing kicker, and with his limited experience, he’ll likely land a spot but it’ll be a pure competition.
Drew Stevens, Iowa (Consensus: UDFA)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 205 | Games: 53
Career: 76/95 FG (80%), 124/126 PAT (98.4%) | 20/29 40-49 yards, 12/19 50+ yards
Stevens has a career of success, he’s been highly touted at Iowa, and he should carve some form of NFL career for himself. He has a massive leg, among the best in the class, and likely can hit from 60+ in the right environment. Iowa tasked him with hitting from 50+ consistently, and he excelled, where he never lacked the leg just overall needed to refine accuracy from deep. He struggled in 2025, so carving out those issues will be important, along with his inconsistency in 2023 where he converted 69% of his attempts, a career low. Stevens also has seen six of his kicks blocked during his college career, as he’ll need to get more arc on his kicks at the NFL level.
Chris Freeman, UConn (Consensus: UDFA)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 205 | Games: 54
Career: 53/66 FG (80.3%), 132/133 PAT (99.2%) | 14/20 40-49 yards, 4/8 50+ yards
The Raiders held a private workout with Freeman, and have shown extreme interest in the UConn, and former Indiana kicker. He was an All-American soccer player, and his leg shows though becoming consistent is the key for him. He was 10-12 in 2025 from 40 to 49 yards, and a total of 88% on all kicks, which were both among the best in the country. Freeman attempted 2 60+ yarders at his Pro Day converting a 66 yarder and sailing wide left on a 62 yarder. The leg isn’t a concern, and he can consistently hit from deep, but Freeman is inexperienced as a kicker in high pressure environments, and he’ll need to find consistency as well from deep. Freeman does a great job with his elevation, not recording a single blocked kick.
Noe Ruelas, UCF (Consensus: Camp Invite)
HT: 6’1 | WT: 200 | Games: 39
Career: 46/57 FG (80.7%), 98/101 PAT (97%) | 12/17 40-49 yards, 6/11 50+ yards
Ruelas has bounced around between UConn, JMU, and UCF. He’s been tasked with kickoff duties, being successful at some NFL style kicks and he saw a ton of growth from his time in college including an 88.2% rate in 2025 which led the B12. Ruelas does have some low arc on his kicks, causing a few blocked or near blocks, and he also hasn’t been overly successful from 45+ going just 8/16 (50%). He’s a camp invite kicker who can grow if the consistency from deep comes along, which it showed progress of in 2025.
Mason Shipley, Texas (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’0 | WT: 190 | Games: 51
Career: 51/59 FG (86.4%), 159/162 PAT (98.1%) | 15/16 40-49 yards, 5/9 50+ yards
Shipley transferred to Texas from Texas State in 2025, and he had a career best season converting 20 of his 24 attempts, while also going 100% (48/48) on PAT. Shipley has an adequate leg, but he generates a lot of arc at first which can limit his overall downfield range, which is a good thing to need reduced instead of raised. A down year in 2024, going just 15/19 (78.9%) reduced his career average, but he bounced back in 2025 while also hitting multiple high pressure kicks. Shipley has been highly successful from 40+, has a good leg, but the accuracy is concerning beyond 45 yards. He’s not been tasked with many kick past 50 yards, largely in part to a poor offense at Texas State, and too good of an offense in 2025. He’s an intriguing prospect, who’s leg can carry him far.
Gabe Plascencia, San Diego State (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 240 | Games: 28
Career: 36/41 (87.8%), 55/56 PAT (98.2%) | 12/13 40-49 yards, 3/6 50+ yards
Las Vegas met with Plascencia, and he’s rising up the board quickly for teams this off-season at kicker. He’s got good size, generates high arc, and also has a powerful leg. HIs 87.8% rate is just off the NCAA record, and he’s consistently improved each season from range with a perfect 9/9 from 40-49 in 2025. Plascencia, is rather inexperience, and he doesn’t have a ton of high pressure kicks, while also struggling from the left hash, both NFL concerns. The former JUCO kicker, has inaccuracy beyond 50, but the leg to hit from 60+ if he can refine his accuracy, though he has fluid mechanics that generate power and distance for him without needing adjustment.
Long Snappers:
Garrison Grimes, BYU (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’2 | WT: 200 | Games: 45
Career: 5 tackles, 2 FR
Grimes, viewed as the best long snapper in the class, helped elevate kicker Will Ferrin in 2025, he generates elite zip on his snaps, with the laces consistently landing without needing to be turned. Additionally, Grimes shows a good ability to get downfield and make a tackle on the returner with higher end athletic traits. He needs to lower his snaps on punts, which can tend to arc too high or hit the punter in the neck not chest, but he’s shown good velocity to adjust.
Tyler Duzansky, Penn State (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’4 | WT: 201 | Games: 49
Career: 9 tackles
Duzansky is well rounded, he has a good athletic frame, but he may need more mass for the NFL especially working vs bigger lineman at times in punt situations. Druzansky is an accurate snapper, generates good velocity, and he’s had just one muffed snap in his career. He tackles exceptionally well, missing just 2 of his 11 attempts, which is a near career record for long snappers since tackles were tracked on ST.
Beau Gardner, Georgia (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’6 | WT: 255 | Games: 44
Career: 4 tackles
There’s a trio of good young snappers in the class, and Gardner rounds that out. He is a massive framed kid which allows him to holdup on blocks well, and he also has size to get downfield and make an impact or set up blocks as well. He’s an above average athlete for the size, generates a ton of velocity, and he consistently puts the ball where it needs to be. Gardner is consistent, does a lot well, and his Georgia pedigree is notable.
Rocco Underwood, Florida (Consensus: UDFA)
HT: 6’3 | WT: 229 | Games: 50
Career: 7 tackles, 4 FR
Underwood has had some inconsistent snaps in his career, muffing a few, which will cause NFL concern but the redshirt senior does generate a ton of NFL level velocity, consistent low snaps, and his placement is on point. Underwood will need to get better at leaving some snaps low, which is his biggest issue, but he has accuracy, and while it’s noting special, he does a lot well. Underwood is also the cousin of former Raiders punter Johnny Townsend, and NFL All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend.
Luke Basso, Oregon (Consensus: PFA)
HT: 6’3 | WT: 221 | Games: 53
Career: 4 tackles, FR
The Raiders have also met with Basso, and the Oregon long snapper has shown a ton of athletic traits that allow him to impact the NFL level getting down the field and making a play on the returner. He’s been one of the best snappers in college for his career, has good velocity, and his accuracy can be spotty on punts, but he does well getting the laces on point in field goals. Basso is very refined, and while the snap speed is the lowest of the four above him, he doesn’t have many flaws outside of that.
Ben Mann, Boston College (Consensus: Camp Invite)
HT: 6’5 | WT: 230 | Games: 44
Career: 13 tackles, FF, FR
Las Vegas, like others on this list, met with Mann who has the best pairing of size and athleticism in the class at snapper. He’s shown high end athletic traits, moves well downfield, and will also make an impact tackle. Mann hits hard, wraps up well with just four misses in his 17 attempts, and he also logged a forced fumble. Mann generates good, not great, speed on his snaps, and he can leave some low on punts which tend to tail off, but overall the Boston College snapper has shown a ton of NFL caliber traits, and with some revisions can carve out a multi decade NFL career.
Other Names:
- Rece Verhoff, UNC – Kicker
- Carter Davis, Miami (FL) – Kicker
- Atticus Sappington, Oregon – Kicker
- Harry Balke, Drake – Kicker
- Bryce Robinson, Virginia – Long Snapper
- John Ferlmann, Ohio State – Long Snapper
- Mason Hutton, Boise State – Long Snapper
- Kevin Gallic, Nebraska – Long Snapper
- Xander Echols, Idaho – Long Snapper
