The Michigan Panthers released kicker Jake Bates on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page. Bates is expected to sign with the Detroit Lions.
Jake Bates is five foot ten and weighs 202 pounds. The 25-year-old from Tomball, Texas, made two of three extra points in one preseason game for the Houston Texans against the New England Patriots in 2023. The Texans signed Bates as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Then, Bates signed with the Michigan Panthers on December 24, 2023. In 2024, Bates had 48 kickoffs for 3,346 yards with a long of 80 yards, three touchbacks, and making 17 of 22 field goals (77.3%) with a long of 61 yards in ten games. Bates was named to the All-UFL Team. In the USFL Conference Championship Game against the Birmingham Stallions, Bates made 4 of 6 field goals (67%) with a long of 53 yards.
Collegiately, Bates played soccer for two seasons at Central Arkansas playing 36 games, of which 29 were starts for the Bears. In 2017, Bates earned six points scoring one goal and four assists on 13 shots on goal in 18 games during his freshman season.
In his sophomore season, Bates played 18 games, of which 11 were starts finishing second on the team with nine points scoring three goals, and three assists. He scored the lone goal helping Central Arkansas clinch its second straight MVC championship with a 1-0 victory over Missouri State.
Next, he transferred to Texas Tech (2020-21) with 113 kickoffs for 7,021 yards (62.1 AVG), 67 touchbacks, five kicks out of bounds, and two tackles (2 solo) in 24 games for the Bobcats. Then, Bates transferred to Arkansas in 2022 with 75 kickoffs for 4,835 yards, 64 touchbacks, and one kick out of bounds in 13 games for the Razorbacks. He was named First Team All-SEC and finished fourth nationally with an average of 64.5 yards per kickoff.
