Jake Elliott

Jake Elliott's Biography

Jake Daniel Elliott, also known as Jake “the Make”, was born on January 21, 1995, and is considered one of the best in the field of American professional football. Raised in Western Springs, Illinois by his parents, Bruce and Diane Elliott, Jake’s innate capability to excel in various sports such as baseball, basketball, and tennis was observed early on in his youth. Particularly impressive was his skill in tennis, making him one of the state’s best youth players.

Elliott’s journey into football began during his high school years at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois. A fortuitous Homecoming student field goal kicking contest led an assistant coach from Lyons to recognize and encourage Elliott’s talent for football. Before this, he had been involved in playing tennis for the past three years at the same school.

After demonstrating his prowess in the field during his junior year, he was lauded with an ESPNHS underclass title and named a First-team All-State by the Chicago Tribune. He also made a remarkable 52-yard field goal in his junior season, earning his team a 16-14 victory over Oak Park River Forest High School. As a senior, Elliott repeated his success, making 15 of 21 field-goal attempts and scoring a place on the Second-team kicker for Kohl’s All-America List. After this successful run, he was offered full scholarships by the University of North Dakota and the University of Memphis, choosing ultimately to play for the Memphis Tigers.

Between 2013 and 2016, Elliott played college football for the Memphis Tigers under the guidance of head coaches Justin Fuente, Darrell Dickey, and Mike Norvell. Named the team’s starting kicker after intense summer training, Elliott launched his successful career striking 16 of 18 field goals during his 2013 season. Elliott further established his legacy at Memphis, setting a record for a 56-yard field goal and earning the title of American Athletic Conference (AAC) Special Teams Player of the Week.

Throughout his sophomore year, Elliott continued to display his kicking ability, leading the AAC by scoring an average of 9.2 points per game. For two years in a row, he was declared First-team All-Conference and AAC Special Teams Player of the Year. His successive achievements culminated in a record-breaking kick during the 2014 Miami Beach Bowl. His 54-yard kick not only became the fourth-longest field goal in the history of the bowl but also led Memphis to a 55-48 victory, giving him a reputed name in the field.

Elliott’s success story continued throughout his junior and senior years at Memphis, repeatedly leading the conference in several categories and setting many school records. By the end of the 2016 season, he ranked first in total points, extra points, and field goals, finishing third in field goal percentage in conference history.

Emboldened by his college football success, Elliott declared himself for the 2017 NFL draft on February 9, 2017. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round, making him the first of the three kickers selected that year. Unfortunately, despite his previous triumphs, he lost his place to veteran Randy Bullock and was waived by the team.

Nevertheless, Elliott bounced back when the Philadelphia Eagles signed him off the Bengals’ practice squad to replace their injured starting kicker, Caleb Sturgis. In his first NFL appearance against the Kansas City Chiefs, Elliott made two extra point attempts and two out of three field goal attempts. His greatest accomplishment yet, however, came in September 2017 when he kicked a 61-yard field goal to beat the New York Giants on the last play of the game, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. This outstanding field goal also set records for the seventh-longest in NFL history, the longest in Eagles history, and the longest ever by an NFL rookie.

Elliott’s first few successful seasons in the NFL led to a series of ups and downs, but he never faltered in his determination to make an impact. Despite a few missed extra point attempts and some inconsistency in his field goal attempts, he was instrumental in propelling the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in 2018, against none other than the New England Patriots. He continued to perform well during the 2018 season, making crucial kicks that were decisive in winning several close games.

Beyond his career in the NFL, Elliott also led a significant personal life. He married his fiancé, Annie, on March 8, 2020. A little over two years later, on July 29, 2023, they welcomed their first child, Beau Daniel Elliott into the world. In continuing his successful career, in March 2024, Elliott signed a four-year, $24 million contract extension with the Eagles, extending his tenure with the franchise.

In conclusion, Jake Daniel Elliott is a powerhouse of American professional football. Born and raised in Western Springs, Illinois, he has had an illustrious career in both college and professional football, demonstrating his kicking prowess on multiple occasions. His journey in the sport, from being a rookie in high school to a renowned place kicker in the NFL, illustrates his unwavering tenacity and dedication to the game. Elliot’s remarkable achievements in the field and unique abilities in the game make him a crucial asset to his team, as well as a leading player in American football.