Jack Podlesny

Jack Morgan Podlesny (born March 16, 2000) is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia. Nicknamed "Hot Pod",[1] he was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022.[2]

Jack Podlesny
Personal information
Born: (2000-03-16) March 16, 2000
St. Simons Island, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Glynn Academy
(Brunswick, Georgia)
College:Georgia (2018–2022)
Position:Placekicker
Undrafted:2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

High school career

Podlesny attended Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia. In his senior year, Podlesny converted on nine of his ten field goal tries, while making 49 of his 51 point-after-tries.[3][4] Despite offers from schools such as Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Michigan, Podlesny walked on at the University of Georgia.[5]

College career

In 2018, Podlesny redshirted, and the following year, he was the backup to Rodrigo Blankenship. In 2020, Podlesny became Georgia's starting kicker. During the season, Podlesny made 13 field goals out of 16 attempts, while making all of his 38 point-after-tries.[6][7] As a result, Podlesny was named a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award.[8] During the 2021 Peach Bowl, Podlesny hit a career-long 53-yard go-ahead field goal with 0:03 seconds remaining.[9] The kick was the longest field goal in Peach Bowl history and Podlesny was named the game's MVP for his efforts.[10][11][12] After the game, Podlesny was awarded a scholarship.[13] In 2021, Podlesny went 22 of 27 on field goal attempts.[14] During the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship, Podlesny recorded two field goals including a season-high 49-yard field goal in a 33−18 victory.[15] During Podlesny's redshirt senior season, he converted 23 out of 26 field goals, being named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and the All-SEC First-Team.[2][16]

After Georgia won the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, Podlesny played in the 2023 Hula Bowl.[17]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m)		 194 lb
(88 kg)		 29+5⁄8 in
(0.75 m)		 9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[18][19]

Podlesny signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023.[20] On August 17, 2023, Podlesny was waived by the Vikings.[21][22]

Personal life

Podlesny is a Christian. He has said, “At the end of the day, I’m playing to glorify Him and Him only.” He has also said, “No matter a make or miss I can still be an example of Christ in how I live my life and respond.”[23]

References
  1. "'Hot Pod' fulfills a lifelong dream – Bulldawg Illustrated". bulldawgillustrated.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  2. "Podlesny, Smart Earn SEC Individual Honors". University of Georgia Athletics. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  3. Price, Kevin (2018-04-19). "Glynn's Podlesny ready to kick it with Kirby and the Georgia Bulldogs". AllOnGeorgia. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  4. Towers, Chip. "Georgia walk-on kicker Jack Podlesny making a name for himself". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  5. "UGASports - Jack Podlesny kicks his way from walk-on to scholarship player". uga.rivals.com. 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  6. Davis, Derrick. "Former Glynn Academy standout Jack Podlesny carving out legacy at Georgia". The Brunswick News. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  7. "After breakout 2020 year, Jack Podlesny looks to carry the momentum – Bulldawg Illustrated". bulldawgillustrated.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  8. Communications, UGA Sports (2020-12-07). "Georgia football adds three more semifinalists for national awards". SicEmDawgs.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  9. "Podlesny's FG lifts Georgia past Cincinnati in Peach Bowl". AP NEWS. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  10. "Record Book". Peach Bowl. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  11. "Georgia Bulldogs pull off incredible comeback win in Peach Bowl". ajc. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  12. May, Jed. "How Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny became the Bulldogs' Peach Bowl hero".
  13. "Walk-on no more: Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny reveals he's been placed on scholarship". Saturday Down South. 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  14. "Kicker Podlesny keeps delivering, whether Bulldogs are happy about it or not | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  15. Towers, Chip. "Georgia's Jack Podlesny aims to be ready if it comes down to kicks". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  16. "2022 All-SEC Football Teams Announced". www.secsports.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  17. Gamarra, Max (January 14, 2023). "Team Kai beats Team Aina 16-13 in 2023 Hula Bowl". nicholsonstudentmedia.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  18. "Jack Podlesny Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  19. "2023 NFL Draft Scout Jack Podlesny College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  20. "Vikings Agree to Terms with 15 Undrafted Free Agents". www.vikings.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  21. "Vikings Sign Rookie RB Aaron Dykes". Vikings.com. August 17, 2023.
  22. "Greg Joseph wins Vikings' kicking competition as team waives rookie Jack Podlesny". Twin Cities. 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  23. Kruse, Ethan. "Jack Podlesny - Make or Miss". His Huddle. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
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