Tyler Loop is an emerging name in American football, best described as a young, talented placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). As of the 2025 and early 2026 seasons, he plays for the Baltimore Ravens, wearing jersey #33 and making an impact in one of the most pressure-filled positions on the field.
Early Life and College Career
Born on August 4, 2001, in Lucas, Texas, Tyler Joseph Loop grew up immersed in athletics before focusing on football. He attended Lovejoy High School, where he first exhibited the versatility and kicking ability that would eventually shape his collegiate career.
Loop’s college journey continued at the University of Arizona, where he played for the Arizona Wildcats football team. Initially, in 2020, he served as the team’s punter, averaging solid yardage per punt. However, he soon transitioned to placekicker, where his consistency and leg strength became standout traits. Over the next several seasons, Loop demonstrated remarkable accuracy, routinely converting field goals and extra points. During his time at Arizona, he even broke program records for both kicking accuracy and long field goals, including a 62-yard field goal, a rare and impressive achievement at the collegiate level.
Loop’s college success caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he entered the 2025 NFL Draft—a milestone that would change the course of his career.
Professional Breakthrough: Drafted by the Ravens
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Tyler Loop in the sixth round, with the 186th overall pick. This selection was notable not just for Loop’s career but for the franchise; he became the first kicker ever drafted by the Ravens in their history.
Loop entered the Ravens organization at a time of significant change. The team parted ways with long time legend Justin Tucker, one of the most accurate and celebrated kickers in NFL history, due to off-field controversies. That departure left a looming question mark at the kicker position, and Loop emerged as the heir apparent.
During the preseason, Loop impressed fans and coaches alike. In one memorable outing against the Dallas Cowboys, he drilled five field goals from varying distances, showcasing both confidence and range. Just minutes after that performance, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh publicly confirmed Loop as the team’s starting kicker for the upcoming season—a moment Loop described as special, especially sharing it with family and close friends who travelled to watch him play.
Playing Style and Strengths
As a placekicker, Tyler Loop’s role is simple to describe but incredibly difficult to execute: he must convert field goals and extra points, often under intense pressure. His success depends on technique, leg strength, timing, and mental toughness. This job is one of the most nerve-racking in professional sports, because a single kick can determine the outcome of an entire game. Loop’s collegiate and early NFL performances reflect a combination of accuracy, distance range, and composure rarely seen in rookie kickers.
Statistically, during the 2025 season, Loop maintained a high level of performance. He connected on over 90% of his field goal attempts, a figure that places him among the most accurate kickers in the league. His extra-point percentage also remained strong, above 95%. Across the season he scored 128 points, which put him tied for sixth-most in the NFL—a remarkable feat for a rookie at any position.
Memorable Moments and Challenges
Loop’s rookie season had its fair share of high-pressure situations. One of the most dramatic came during Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, with the Ravens needing a kick to secure a playoff berth. Loop lined up for a 44-yard game-winning field goal. Unfortunately, he missed wide right as time expired, and the Ravens fell short, ending their playoff hopes in heart breaking fashion. It was the first field goal he had missed inside 50 yards all season, and the moment instantly became one of the most memorable of his young career. Loop later explained that he “mishit the ball,” a common but devastating way for kickers to miss pivotal attempts.
Despite that setback, sports analysts and coaches noted that his body of work throughout the season demonstrated resilience and growth—key indicators of a potentially long and successful career. Many kickers face ups and downs early on as they adjust to the NFL’s speed, pressure, and unique stadium environments, and Loop was no exception.
Life Off the Field
Off the gridiron, Tyler Loop maintains a grounded personal life. Like many professional athletes, he values family support and often credits loved ones for his mental strength and focus. Though not as widely covered as star quarterbacks or skill position players, Loop’s story inspires many young athletes who aspire to reach the NFL through dedication, practice, and adaptability.
Why Tyler Loop Matters
To the casual observer, a placekicker might seem like a niche role, but football analysts and fans know differently. Kickers have decided Super Bowls, playoff games, and rivalries over the decades. The position requires a rare blend of precision under pressure, a strong leg, and a calm mind—a trifecta that not all players can master. Loop’s early success and adaptability suggest that he might become a fixture in the NFL kicking landscape, especially if he continues building on his rookie season and learns from challenging moments like his Week 18 kick.
Moreover, his journey from a high school player in Texas to a record-setting college athlete, and then to one of the league’s promising young kickers, illustrates the unpredictable but rewarding path of professional sports. That arc resonates not just with football fans, but with anyone who pursues a dream with resilience and determination.