Wyoming’s John Hoyland Kicks His Way Into an NFL Contract

LARAMIE -- The marching orders haven't changed: Keep making kicks.

Wyoming's all-time leading scorer excelled in that area during his five seasons on the high plains, hammering through 73 field goals. John Hoyland last fall leapfrogged his predecessor Cooper Rothe, capping his Cowboy career with 346 points.

He has the opportunity to do the same in Baltimore, replacing that franchise's scoring king.

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Hoyland inked a reported 3-year, $2.965 million dollar deal last Monday with the Ravens. The undrafted free agent is now in the mix to replace Justin Tucker, who capped his career in the Charm City with 1,775 points over his first 13 NFL seasons.

"It was a great feeling, for sure," Hoyland said on Thursday. "I loved getting into Baltimore and getting a feel for things. Being able to come to a great organization was absolutely a great moment."

Hoyland, a Broomfield, Colo., product, earned a tryout with the Ravens and his hometown Denver Broncos during last week's rookie minicamps.

He never got back on the plane to the Mile High City.

"John Hoyland was a steady and reliable kicker his entire career at Wyoming," said Jay Sawvel, referring to his 79.3% career average, including drilling eight attempts from 50-plus yards. "It’s no surprise that he is getting an excellent opportunity with the Ravens. He will perform well and make a serious challenge for their kicking job."

Hoyland, one of only 32 rookies to earn Freshman All-American honors in 2020, broke the single-season school record two years later, connecting on 22 field goals. He jumped JD Wallum and Cory Wedel -- who both led the way with 20 -- in the process.

Hoyland was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, an honor given to the nation's top placekicker. He was also named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week three times.

He again earned that recognition after going 4-for-4 in an upset win over Texas Tech. Hoyland bookended that season with Arizona Bowl MVP honors, making all three of his attempts, including a 24-yard chip shot to sink Toledo, 16-15.

The 22-year-old has company in Baltimore's kicking room.

The team selected Arizona's Tyler Loop in the sixth round of last month's draft. Also a semifinalist for the nation's top placekicking honor, he was 6-of-9 from 50-plus in 2024 and booted through a 62-yarder.

Before Hoyland sets his sights on that battle, he is still digesting the opportunity that lies ahead.

So is his family.

"He sounded a little cagey, somewhat hesitant. He then dropped the news that the Ravens had offered him a contract," his father, Nigel Hoyland, said, adding he waited until the call ended to release his true emotions. (Maybe that's why John Hoyland thought his family was more ecstatic when he told them he had earned a scholarship?) "I tried to sound calm and collected, but inside I was bursting with excitement. John’s mom then came into the house from picking kids up and her reaction was hilarious. Her jaw dropped open to the news."

Still, he's not surprised.

"John has always had an incredible work ethic, whether it be with academics, athletics or with his other interests," his dad continued. "So, to see him realize his dream of getting an opportunity in the NFL, to demonstrate his worth to an amazing organization such as the Ravens, made us so incredibly proud.

"Obviously, I’m a tad biased, but he’s such a humble, funny and supportive kid that I have no doubt he will continue to be the amazing teammate in the league as he was to so many players at Wyoming."

Like he did in Laramie, Hoyland said his focus is now on "managing the elements." Maryland isn't exactly tropical in the winter months and the Ravens have made the playoffs in three straight seasons and six of the last seven.

The defense has carried the day. So has a former NFL MVP under center, Lamar Jackson.

Head coach John Harbaugh's background, though, is in special teams. That was his responsibility at Morehead State, Cincinnati, Indiana and during his first nine NFL seasons in Philadelphia.

He knows a solid kicker when he sees one.

So did Craig Bohl, who was forced to call on the true freshman back in 2020. Hoyland calmly hit all four of his field goals in that season opener in Reno, including a 42-yarder with 23 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.

He made a 38-yard attempt in the extra frame, too.

Wyoming's former head coach admitted after the game, he didn't even know the rookie's name.

We all do now.

"Looking back on all the goals that I had set for myself and accomplished through my career (at Wyoming) is something that I am absolutely proud of," Hoyland said. "I am excited to be able to keep playing and being in a football facility everyday."

EXTRA POINTS:

Hoyland isn't the first Wyoming kicker to receive an opportunity in Baltimore.

Aaron Elling also signed a free-agent deal with the club back in 2005. He was on the roster for nine games, missing his lone attempt, which came from more than 50 yards out. He also kicked off five times that season.

Other Cowboy kickers to make it to the NFL are: Jerry DePoyster (Detroit, Oakland), Elling (Minnesota, Tennessee, Baltimore), Deric Yaussi (Buffalo) and Bob Jacobs (Cleveland). Sean Fleming spent 16 seasons in the Canadian Football League, all with the Edmonton Eskimos, winning three Grey Cup Championships.

Hoyland is the 13th former Cowboy currently on an NFL roster, joining Josh Allen (Buffalo), Logan Wilson (Cincinnati), Carl Granderson (New Orleans), Treyton Welch (New Orleans), Xazavian Valladay (New Orleans), Chad Muma (Jacksonville), Andrew Wingard (Jacksonville), Marcus Epps (New England), Frank Crum (Denver), Tyler Hall (Seattle), Solomon Byrd (Houston) and Isaiah Neyor (San Francisco).

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players