Johnny Hekker

PRO: The Titans signed Johnny Hekker as an unrestricted free agent early in the 2025 offseason. The 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pounder possesses an impressive résumé and is especially known for his net punt skills and his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. The Oregon State product entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams in 2012 and spent 10 seasons with the franchise, including a Super Bowl title run in 2021. Prior to arriving in Tennessee, he spent three campaigns with the Carolina Panthers from 2022-24.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hekker earned All-Pro honors in six-consecutive seasons (2013-18) and has been named to four Pro Bowls (2013, 2015-17).
• Hekker is a member of NFL 2010's All-Decade Team.
• Hekker played in all 161 games for the Rams franchise from 2012-21, tallying 727 punts for a net average of 42.87 with a long of 78 yards and 300 punts inside the 20-yard line.
• In 2016, Hekker set the NFL single-season records for net punt average (46.0) and punts inside 20 (51).

TITANS TIDBITS:
• Hekker has served as the state ambassador for Special Olympics in Illinois, Missouri, California and North Carolina. He is also on the board for Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), a year-round instructional sports program that provides athletic and social opportunities to kids with special needs.
• Hekker serves as a Waterboys Ambassador, which supports providing clean, accessible drinking water to rural communities in East Africa.
• Hekker and his wife, Makayla, are on the board for Couples, a marriage and family ministry.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Bothell, Wash., native was originally signed by the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent on May 8, 2012.
• Released by the Rams on March 15, 2022.
• Signed by the Carolina Panthers as a free agent on March 21, 2022.
• Signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2025.

COLLEGE:
• Was a four-year starter at Oregon State, finishing his career as one of Beavers' most prolific punters. Holds the third-best career punt yardage average at OSU at 41.3 yards per punt and set the single-game school record with a 52.5-yard average (6-315) at Utah in 2011.
• Posted 52 career punts of 50-plus yards, including 17 in 2011 when he had six different games with at least one punt of 60-plus yards.
• As a senior (2011), was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List – given annually to the nation's best punter. Punted 50 times for 2,202 yards (44.0 avg.) earning Pac-12 Conference honorable mention.
• As a junior (2010), booted 61 punts for 2,545 yards (41.7 avg.).
• As a sophomore (2009), was a semi-finalist for the Ray Guy Award after punting 51 times for 2,043 yards (40.1 avg.).
• As a freshman (2008), punted 59 times for 2,342 yards (39.7 avg.). Received Sun Bowl Special Teams MVP after averaging 45 yards on 10 punts.
• Was a two-time Pac-10 All-Academic selection.
• Graduated from Oregon State in June 2011 with a degree in general science.

PERSONAL:
• Married to Makayla, they have one son, Jett and two daughters, Maya. and Hava.
• Attended Bothell (Wash.) High School and was the starting quarterback and punter of the Cougars football team during his senior year, leading them to a State Championship game.
• Also played basketball in high school and was a three-year starter.
• Participated in the initial Beavers Without Borders trip during spring break of 2011, traveling to Guatemala to build a house for a needy family.
• Follow Hekker on X at @JHekker and on Instagram at @jhekk.
• Born John Robert Hekker on Feb. 8, 1990 in Redmond, Wash.