The D.C. Defenders released placekicker Matt McCrane on Tuesday as he is signing with an NFL team according to the UFL Transactions page.
Matt McCrane is five foot ten and weighs 167 pounds. The 30-year-old from Brownwood, Texas, re-signed with the Defenders on January 22, 2024. He made 16 of 20 field goals (80%) with a long of 58 yards, and seven kickoffs for 469 yards (67.0 AVG), with a long of 64 yards in 10 games in 2024.
McCrane signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. He was released on September 1, 2018. McCrane also spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles. He made 8 of 12 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 47 yards, and 21 kickoffs for 1,250 yards (59.5 AVG) in five games.
In 2020, McCrane played for the New York Guardians (XFL) making 8 of 8 field goals (100%) with a long of 53 yards in five games before the XFL canceled the 2020 season due to COVID-19. McCrane signed with the D.C. Defenders on January 17, 2023. He made 12 of 16 field goals (75%) with a long of 50 yards in 10 games.
Collegiately, McCrane played four seasons at Kansas State (2014-17) making 57 of 66 field goals (86.4%) with a long of 54 yards, 133 of 134 extra points (99.3%), 98 kickoffs for 5,884 yards (60.0%), and 44 touchbacks in 38 games for the Wildcats. He was named First Team All-Big 12 in 2017, Honorable Mention All-American by Sports Illustrated in 2014, Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2014, and a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2017.
