Career Timeline of Zane Gonzalez: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Zane Gonzalez made an impact.

Zane Gonzalez is an American football placekicker. He had a record-setting college career at Arizona State, becoming the NCAA Division I leader in field goals and winning the Lou Groza Award in 2016. He was also a unanimous All-American. Gonzalez was drafted into the NFL by the Cleveland Browns in 2017.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1985: Senior Bowl Record

In 1985, a record was set for field goals made at the Senior Bowl, which Zane Gonzalez tied in 2017.

2013: Freshman Year at ASU

In 2013, Zane Gonzalez played every game during his freshman year, achieving a high field goal conversion rate and setting an ASU freshman record with 18 consecutive field goals. He was also awarded a First Team All-Pac-12 Conference selection.

2014: Sophomore Year at ASU

In 2014, during his sophomore year, Zane Gonzalez achieved a field goal conversion rate of 81.5% and earned a Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection. He matched his then-career-high with four field goals against Stanford on October 18 and kicked a game-winning field goal against Utah on November 11, earning him Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.

2015: Junior Season

During his junior season in 2015, Zane Gonzalez made 26 of 34 field goal attempts and converted all 52 extra point attempts. On November 28, 2015, Gonzalez matched the Pac-12 record with an ASU school-record six field goals against California.

January 2, 2016: Cactus Bowl Performance

On January 2, 2016, Zane Gonzalez kicked four field goals against West Virginia in the 2016 Cactus Bowl. He became the school's all-time scoring leader in the third quarter, surpassing Luis Zendejas (380).

2016: Senior Year Achievements

During his senior year in 2016, Zane Gonzalez achieved a 92.0% field goal success rate and broke multiple records. He broke the Pac-12 record for career points scored, the school record for career-made field goals, and the NCAA career field goals made record. Gonzalez was also named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week multiple times.

2016: All-American and Lou Groza Award Winner

In 2016, Zane Gonzalez was a unanimous All-American and won the Lou Groza Award while playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

May 16, 2017: Signed with the Cleveland Browns

On May 16, 2017, Zane Gonzalez signed a four-year, $2.48 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, including a signing bonus of $89,156.

September 1, 2017: Named Browns' Kicker

On September 1, 2017, Zane Gonzalez was chosen as the Cleveland Browns' kicker for the season.

September 10, 2017: First Career Point

On September 10, 2017, in the season-opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Zane Gonzalez recorded his first career extra point and field goal.

October 22, 2017: Career Long Field Goal

On October 22, 2017, during Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, Zane Gonzalez scored all nine points on three field goals, including a career-long of 54 yards.

2017: Drafted by Cleveland Browns

In 2017, Zane Gonzalez was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

2017: Senior Bowl Performance

In the 2017 Senior Bowl, Zane Gonzalez kicked three field goals, tying a record held since 1985.

November 20, 2018: Signed to Cardinals Practice Squad

On November 20, 2018, Zane Gonzalez was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.

November 26, 2018: Promoted to Active Roster

On November 26, 2018, Zane Gonzalez was promoted to the active roster of the Arizona Cardinals after an injury to Phil Dawson.

December 2, 2018: Game-Winning Field Goal

On December 2, 2018, Zane Gonzalez recorded two field goals and extra points including the 44-yard go-ahead field goal that eventually gave the Arizona Cardinals the win against the Green Bay Packers.

April 23, 2020: Re-signed with Cardinals

On April 23, 2020, Zane Gonzalez re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

March 5, 2021: Released by Cardinals

On March 5, 2021, Zane Gonzalez was released by the Arizona Cardinals.

August 10, 2021: Signed with Detroit Lions

On August 10, 2021, Zane Gonzalez signed with the Detroit Lions.

September 14, 2021: Signed by Carolina Panthers

On September 14, 2021, Zane Gonzalez was signed by the Carolina Panthers off the Lions practice squad.

March 9, 2022: Signed Contract Extension

On March 9, 2022, Zane Gonzalez signed a one-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers.

March 24, 2023: Traded to 49ers

On March 24, 2023, Zane Gonzalez was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers.

November 8, 2024: Signed with Commanders Practice Squad

On November 8, 2024, Zane Gonzalez signed with the Washington Commanders' practice squad.

January 12, 2025: Game-Winning Field Goal

On January 12, 2025, Zane Gonzalez kicked a dramatic, game-winning 37-yard field goal for the Washington Commanders against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs.