DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 05: The Detroit Lions logo is seen as Jake Bates #38 of the Michigan Panthers runs back to the locker room after defeating the Arlington Renegades at Ford Field on May 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/UFL/Ge …
FOX 2 (WJBK) - From Panther to Lion, Jake Bates is staying at Ford Field this fall.
Bates has signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions, the United Football League announced Tuesday.
Bates starred for the Michigan Panthers this spring making 17-of-22 field goal attempts including 3-for-4 from 60 yards or more.
The All-UFL kicker broke out in Week 1 by making a 64-yard field goal with three seconds left to beat the St. Louis Battlehawks. He later would kick the 42-yard game-winner with two seconds left in Week 6.
During the 2024 season, he made 7-of-11 from 50+ yards while his longest of 64 was the longest field goal in the league.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 05: Jake Bates #38 of the Michigan Panthers looks on during the second quarter against the Arlington Renegades at Ford Field on May 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rick Osentoski/UFL/Getty Images)
The Tomball, Texas native was previously a collegiate soccer player at Central Arkansas before taking the leap to college football, making stops at Texas State and Arkansas as their kickoff specialist.
Bates was also a kickoff specialist in high school, making his 64-yard boot the first converted competitive field goal of his career.
The team's incumbent kicker, Michael Badgley, will compete with Bates for the kicking job.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - JUNE 08: Brock Miller #41 holds as Jake Bates #38 of the Michigan Panthers attempts and misses a 51 yard field goal against the Birmingham Stallions in the second quarter during the USFL Conference Championship game at Protectiv …
This will be Bates’ second NFL stint, as he was with the Houston Texans during the 2023 preseason.