In a surprising move that could shake up the college football landscape, Tennessee's talented kicker Max Gilbert has decided to transfer to Arkansas via the NCAA transfer portal. But here’s where it gets controversial: transfers like these can spark debates about loyalty, team dynamics, and overall recruiting strategies. Gilbert, who has been part of the Volunteers for the past two seasons, brings a solid kicking resume to his new team.
Max Gilbert boasts a successful field goal conversion rate of 75.6% over his college career, finishing with a perfect record of 118-for-118 on extra-point attempts—an impressive consistency that many kickers aspire to achieve. Notably, he recorded a personal best long-distance kick from 53 yards last season. During the 2025 campaign, Gilbert converted 14 out of 19 field goal attempts. His misses included two each from the 30-39 yard and 40-49 yard ranges, along with a single miss from beyond 50 yards.
Prior to that, in the previous season, Gilbert was nearly flawless, making 20 of 26 field goals. He was especially reliable within 40 yards, converting 13 of 14 tries, and even managed to hit three field goals from 50 yards or more in his career. To date, he has successfully kicked five field goals from beyond the 50-yard mark, accumulating a total of 220 points during his time at Tennessee.
For those interested in the recruiting process, it's worth noting that before Gilbert arrived at Tennessee, he was identified as a three-star recruit and ranked 1,939th nationally according to Rivals. He was also considered the 22nd best kicker in his class. Gilbert hails from Memphis, Tennessee, and played high school football at Lausanne.
This transfer opens up intriguing competition at Arkansas’s kicker position. The Razorbacks’ special teams unit now features another addition: Braeden McAlister, a transfer from Georgia State. McAlister made headlines with a remarkable 60-yard field goal against Marshall, tied for the second-longest NCAA field goal this season, and a school record that also matched the Sun Belt Conference record.
In the 12 games he played for Georgia State, McAlister successfully converted 7 of 8 extra points and attempted only two field goals all year, hitting one. His role mainly involved kickoff duties, where he recorded 36 touchbacks on 43 kicks. With college football experience spanning six seasons—three at Georgia State and beginnings at Charlotte—McAlister's presence will surely intensify competition for Arkansas’s kicking duties.
As college teams continue to shuffle their rosters, decisions like Gilbert’s raise important questions about loyalty, player development, and the impact of transfers on team cohesion. Do you believe such moves ultimately benefit players, or do they threaten the stability of college football programs? Share your thoughts in the comments—there's no denying that these transfers can be a controversial topic among fans and experts alike.
