Breaking News: Tennessee's kicker, Max Gilbert, is heading to Arkansas! This move, straight from the NCAA transfer portal, is sure to shake things up in the world of college football. According to reports from On3's Pete Nakos, Gilbert, who has been kicking for the Tennessee Volunteers for the past two years, is set to join the Razorbacks. But what does this mean for both teams? Let's dive in.
Gilbert's stats speak for themselves. Throughout his career, he's proven to be a reliable kicker, boasting a 75.6% field goal success rate. He's also been perfect on extra-point attempts, going 118-for-118. His impressive leg has also produced a career-long kick of 53 yards.
In the 2025 season, Gilbert went 14-of-19 on field goals, with a few misses from the 30-39, 40-49, and 50+ yard ranges. The previous season, he was even more accurate, hitting 20-of-26 field goal attempts, with a near-perfect 13-of-14 record inside 40 yards and three successful kicks from 50+ yards. This shows his consistent ability to perform under pressure.
Overall, Gilbert has made an impressive five field goals from beyond 50 yards during his career, accumulating a total of 220 career points.
But here's where it gets interesting: Before his time at Tennessee, Gilbert was a three-star prospect and ranked as the No. 1,939 overall recruit in his class. He was also the No. 22 kicker in the country, coming from Lausanne in Memphis, TN.
Competition Alert: Arkansas's kicking situation is about to get a whole lot more competitive. The team also snagged Braeden McAlister from Georgia State. McAlister made headlines with a stunning 60-yard field goal against Marshall, tying for the second-longest in the NCAA last season and breaking a school record, as well as tying the Sun Belt record. He played in 12 games for the Panthers, going 7-8 on PATs and kicking only two field goals all year. McAlister primarily served as a kickoff specialist, recording 36 touchbacks on 43 kickoffs. McAlister is entering his sixth season of college football, having started at Charlotte before transferring to Georgia State.
So, what do you think? Will Gilbert's experience and accuracy give him an edge at Arkansas? Or will McAlister's record-breaking kick and kickoff skills steal the show? What are your predictions for the Razorbacks' kicking game next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
