Brownwood’s own Matt McCrane is headed back to the NFL, as he is signing with the Detroit Lions and will join their practice squad. Greg Joseph, who had been on the Lions’ practice squad, was signed by the New York Giants Tuesday to join their active roster.
Over the past two springs, McCrane converted 28 of 36 field goals while kicking for the DC Defenders of the XFL and UFL.
“I’m excited for another shot at the big show,” McCrane said. “The UFL has given me the platform to showcase my talent and I’m very thankful for that. This is my 7th year out of college… I’ve been on 5 teams and staying relevant in this league is extremely important! Regardless of what is to come, I’m grateful for each opportunity. Countless hours of training and kicking with the help of family, coaches and friends…. My Dad, recently, has really kept me motivated and disciplined during the struggle of free agency. It’s a grind and you never know when that call will come. Well, today, it did.”
McCrane, who has served as the sideline reporter for Brownwood Lions football broadcasts here on KOXE this season and last, has previously spent time on the active roster or practice squad of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, then-Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2018, McCrane appeared in a total of five games, converting 8 of 12 field goal attempts – including a 29-yard game-winner in a 45-42 Raiders’ overtime victory over the Browns on Sept. 30, 2018 – and all five on his extra point tries.
A 2013 graduate of Brownwood High School, McCrane is tied for the school record longest field goal at 52 yards and connected on 7 of 12 field goal attempts during his senior campaign under head coach Bob Shipley.
McCrane went on to attend Kansas State University where in 2017 he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist and first-team All Big 12 – his third year as an all-conference selection. McCrane finished his KSU career as the all-time leader in field goals, with 57; field goal percentage, with an 86.4% success rate; and extra-point percentage, at 99.3%. His 304 points scored in his career ranks third in K-State history.