Baltimore,Tu – May 6, 2025
Get ready, #RavensFlock, because the Baltimore Ravens are shaking up their special teams! Sources told ESPN that Eric DeCosta is set to sign undrafted rookie kicker John Hoyland from Wyoming, a move that could reshape Baltimore’s kicking game amid uncertainty surrounding Justin Tucker. This isn’t just a signing—it’s a daring plunge into a new era!
Hoyland, 22, drilled 66 of 80 field goals (82.5%) over four college seasons, including a 52-yarder in 2024, earning First-Team All-Mountain West honors. His icy veins and booming leg caught John Harbaugh’s eye at a post-draft tryout. “He’s got that clutch factor we crave,” Harbaugh raved to The Baltimore Sun, hinting at a brewing competition. The Ravens, who drafted Tyler Loop at No. 186, are hedging bets as Tucker’s 73.3% field-goal rate in 2024 and ongoing NFL probe fuel debate.
Baltimore’s special teams, once a strength with Tucker’s 89.7% career accuracy, faltered last season, slipping outside the top 10 in efficiency. Hoyland’s 95% extra-point rate and knack for long kicks (13 of 15 from 40-plus yards) offer a fresh spark. “He’s a diamond in the rough,” analyst Jeff Zrebiec told NBC Sports, noting DeCosta’s knack for uncovering gems like Malaki Starks. The Ravens, 12-5 in 2024, leaned on Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but clutch kicking remains vital.
With Tucker’s $4.2 million cap savings if cut looming, per Spotrac, Hoyland’s minicamp performance could force tough calls. Fan buzz on X, tagged #RavensFlock, erupted with intrigue, one user posting: “Hoyland vs. Tucker? This is wild!” DeCosta’s offseason blitz—snagging DJ Moore, Quay Walker, and Dalton Risner—keeps Baltimore soaring, but Hoyland’s arrival adds spice.
Will this rookie kicker steal the show or bow to a legend? Sound off, flock! #RavensFlock
