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The Baltimore Ravens made a massive decision on Monday afternoon, with the team announcing it has parted ways with long-time kicker Justin Tucker. And, per one insider, a former Wyoming football kicker and undrafted free agent could be a candidate to replace him as rookie Tyler Loop's competition.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta released a statement in the wake of Tucker's release and thanked the kicker for his 13 years of service in Baltimore.
"Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," DeCosta said. "Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker. Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league's best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin's many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives."
After the Tucker release was announced, ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested one of the Ravens' rookie minicamp invites, former Wyoming kicker and undrafted free agent, John Hoyland, as a possible replacement for Tucker to compete with Loop.
"For some kicking context in Baltimore: the Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round and then also brought Wyoming kicker John Hoyland to rookie minicamp this past weekend," Schefter wrote. "Hoyland is now a candidate to be signed as the Ravens’ second kicker."
Hoyland was the primary kicker for Wyoming for four-plus seasons and posted a 79.3% success rate over 92 attempts and made all but one of his extra points.
Hoyland's best seasons came in 2020 (92.9%) and 2022 (88%), but he had down years in 2021 (71.4%) and 2023 (65%). In 2024, the former Wyoming kicker knocked through 78.9% of his 19 field goal attempts.
Over his final three years in college, Hoyland showed he can kick from distance with eight 50-yard field goals in that span, although he was a lackluster 1-4 from that distance in 2024.
While Loop is clearly the favorite after being drafted in the sixth round, rookie kickers can be unpredictable. It wouldn't be at all shocking to see Baltimore a veteran to this competition at some point.
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