The Seattle Seahawks signed former Penn State kicker Sam Ficken to a reserve/future deal Friday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Ficken could earn the starting job in Seattle if current starter Sebastian Janikowski doesn’t return to the team next season. Janikowski, a 19-year veteran of the league, will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 13.

This won’t be Ficken’s first trip to the west coast for an NFL gig. He was signed by the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year and played in two games, converting just one of three field goal tries and all 10 of his extra points. Ficken was later released after Greg Zuerlein, the Rams’ starting kicker, returned from injury.

Although his NFL career hasn’t been the prettiest, Ficken had an impressive tenure at Penn State. He successfully converted 54 out of his 75 field goal attempts and more than 97 percent of his extra points in Happy Valley from 2011-2014.

However, he’ll always be remembered by Penn State fans for his legendary performance in the Pinstripe Bowl. Ficken made a 44-yard field goal at the end of regulation to extend the game against Boston College before winning it with an extra point in the first overtime period. The extra point secured the Nittany Lions’ first bowl victory of the post-sanctions era.

About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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