Caleb Shudak

Caleb Shudak's Biography

Caleb Shudak is an accomplished American football placekicker, known for his relentless determination, exceptional versatility, and numerous accolades. Born on November 19, 1997, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Shudak’s affinity for American football emerged early in his life, resonating deeply with his athletic prowess as a multifaceted sportsman.

Opting for diversity, Shudak pursued an impressive five sports at Lewis Central High School, including football, swimming, track, tennis, and baseball. It was during this time that he marked a significant footprint in his high school’s football endeavors, earning a special place as a four-year varsity player.

Aggregating his passion, skill, and dedication, Shudak became a formidable force for his team, assisting them in reaching the cherished football playoffs in four consecutive seasons. His positions in the football field were as diverse as his collection of sports, showcasing a unique ability to adapt and excel. He played the placekicker, defensive back, running back, and linebacker positions, underpinning the wide-ranging nature of his in-field skills.

Shudak’s stellar performances earned him all-city and first-team all-district accolades during his first three seasons at Lewis Central High School. Moreover, his recognition extended to an All-Western Iowa honor. In his senior year, the announcement of his all-state title spoke volumes about his unmatched contribution to football.

Upon graduation in 2016, Shudak successfully made to the University of Iowa’s football team as a walk-on. His freshman year saw him redshirt, marking a period of growth and anticipation. Despite not experiencing any game action in 2017, he remained committed, earning academic all-conference honors in 2018 and made his debut in a match against Illinois, successfully converting a PAT attempt, in a whopping 63-0 victory.

Committed to building upon his foundational successes, Shudak assumed the responsibility of handling Iowa’s kickoffs in 2019. This endeavor came with an Academic All-Big Ten honor and a season record averaging 58.2 yards on 75 kicks. Shudak remained a reliable mongoose for kickoffs in the 2020 season, earning an average of 60.6 yards on 51 kicks, including his career’s first 52-yard field goal attempt.

Granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 situation, Shudak seized the opportunity to return to his beloved team in 2021. Under his competent boots, Shudak successfully converted 24 of 28 field goal attempts, marking the fourth-best single-season average in his school’s history.

Maintaining an impeccable record, Shudak converted all of his 36 PAT attempts, collecting a total of 108 points for the season. This accomplishment earned him a fifth position in the all-time Iowa scoring for a single season. The end of the 2021 season witnessed Shudak receiving the Brett Greenwood Award, Reggie Roby Special Teams Award, and Forest Evashevski Academic Achievement Award. He was also recognized as a third-team All-American by Associated Press and a first-team All-Big Ten by the conference media. Shudak’s conference special teams player of the week award was the icing on the cake after he successfully converted four field goals in a 28-21 victory over Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Despite not being selected in the 2022 NFL draft, Shudak’s journey took a turn for the better when he was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. Upon an injury to Randy Bullock, he was activated for Week 12, during which he made his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, converting 3 of 4 field goals and one PAT attempt.

Shudak signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023, offering a glimmer of hope for his professional career. However, fate had a different plan, leading to his waiver by the Titans on August 22, 2023. Despite this significant hurdle, Shudak remained passionate and dedicated to the sport he loved.

Carrying forward his father’s legacy, Shudak’s passion and dedication to football remained unwavered. Jeff Shudak, his father who was also a prominent kicker at Iowa State and one of their all-time leading scorers, undoubtedly influenced his trajectory through the sports world.

Caleb Shudak’s journey through American football characterizes an unflinching devotion to the sport, embodying resilience, excellence, and a perpetuating hunger for success, leaving an indelible mark on his beloved sport. Despite the twists and turns, Shudak’s legacy is one of zeal and passion for his sport, marking his space in American football history, one kick at a time.