Brandon Aubrey: Cowboys| Wife| How did become a kicker| MLS

Introduction

Brandon Scott Aubrey has become one of the most talked-about kickers in the NFL, a man whose journey to unassailable respect in special teams is as unconventional as it is inspiring. From being a first-round MLS draft pick to working as a software engineer, from nearly giving up his athletic dreams to setting records with the Dallas Cowboys, Aubrey’s story is a powerful testament to perseverance, belief, and the right nudge at the right moment.

Early Life & Soccer Career

Born on March 14, 1995 in St. Louis, Missouri, Brandon Aubrey grew up in Plano, Texas. He played youth soccer with Dallas Texans SC, captaining his age group for several years. With the Texans, Aubrey had major success: multiple State Cups, Classic League titles, Disney Showcase wins, and even international youth tournaments like the Gothia Cup. Wikipedia+1

He also attended high school in Texas where he developed both physically and athletically. Then came college: University of Notre Dame from 2013-2016, where Aubrey was a standout center back—not a goal-scoring forward, but one whose defensive presence and athleticism were highly valued.

In 2016, in his senior year, he earned multiple honors: First Team All-ACC, NSCAA All-South Region, among others. But while he was good, there were questions about his fit for top-level MLS.

MLS Draft and Soccer Professional Days

In 2017, Aubrey was selected 21st overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. But his journey in professional soccer would prove challenging.

• He was loaned immediately to Toronto FC II (a USL side), where he played 21 matches.

• The following year he signed with Bethlehem Steel FC, which is a USL club affiliated with Philadelphia Union.

• But despite effort, he didn’t make it into an MLS first team regular rotation. Ultimately, after the 2018 season, he was released.

So at around age 23, after several seasons in the USL and no breakthrough into MLS proper, Aubrey faced a crossroads: stay in pursuit of a pro soccer path or try something different.

Personal Life & His Wife Jenn

An important part of Brandon Aubrey’s story is his personal life—especially his relationship with his wife, Jenn.

• They’ve been high school sweethearts and were married on January 4, 2019.

• Jenn played lacrosse at Notre Dame for a couple of years.

Jenn’s insight would prove game-changing. After Aubrey’s soccer career stalled, he was working as a software engineer using his degree from Notre Dame.

It was while watching an NFL game together that Jenn pointed out something that would change the trajectory of his life. When a kicker missed a field goal, she turned to Aubrey and said, “You could do that.”

That remark lit a spark. At first, Aubrey was unsure. Going from soccer to kicking field goals in the NFL is not an easy leap. But Jenn’s belief, combined with Aubrey’s athletic foundation and work ethic, became the seed for something much bigger.

The Transition: From Soccer to Kicking Footballs

After Jenn’s encouragement, Aubrey didn’t jump immediately into pro football. He started small.

• He reached out to Brian Egan, a professional kicking coach and former Mississippi State kicker.

• For about two years (from roughly 2019-2021), Aubrey worked out with Egan three times a week, practicing kicking mechanics, muscle memory, and technique.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many fields were closed, Aubrey still found ways to train—sometimes in community parks, aiming at light poles.

He also began attending showcase camps and tryouts to get noticed. Because even with skill, exposure is crucial to break into a football role when you don’t have a traditional football background.

USFL & Breakthrough with Birmingham Stallions

A major turning point in Aubrey’s journey toward becoming an NFL kicker came via the USFL (United States Football League):

• In 2022, Aubrey was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL.

• His performance was strong: he made 18 of 22 field goal attempts and kicked extra points with very good accuracy.

• The Stallions won the USFL championship in both 2022 and 2023. Aubrey was part of those successes.

This USFL experience was pivotal — he was playing in real-game situations, under pressure, building confidence and reps. It gave teams in the NFL data they could believe in.

Signing with the Dallas Cowboys

The next major leap was into the NFL, specifically with the Dallas Cowboys, Aubrey’s home team in a sense (growing up in Texas). The timeline:

• July 3, 2023: The Stallions terminated his contract.

• July 6, 2023: He signed with the Cowboys.

• He competed in training camp, grabbed the kicking job over Tristan Vizcaino.

From his debut, he delivered. In his first NFL game, he made both field goals and converted extra points (though he missed one extra point attempt) versus the New York Giants.

Early NFL Success & Records

Aubrey hasn’t just made the jump; he’s excelled. Some of his notable achievements:

• He went perfect early in his NFL career on many field goal attempts, establishing a high conversion rate.

• In Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams, he kicked a 58-yard field goal and scored 11 points, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, then Secured the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October.

• He made NFL history by being the first kicker to make two field goals of at least 59 yards in the same game (one of them 60 yards) in a game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

• He broke the franchise record for the Cowboys with a 65-yard field goal — the longest in Cowboys history.

His statistics are also superb: excellent field goal percentage, many touchbacks, consistent performance in high-pressure moments.

How Jenn’s Support was Crucial

Aubrey’s wife Jenn didn’t just casually suggest he try; her belief was a catalyst. Many athletes have talent but lack that trigger to take a risk. Jenn’s comment—“you could do that”—while watching an NFL game was a pivot.

• She saw his strong leg from soccer, saw his mechanics at Notre Dame. She believed he had something.

• Then, when he was working full-time as a software engineer, that belief pushed him to dedicate serious time to learning kicking. That meant drills, technique, training with a specialist, making sacrifices.

So his wife’s role is an essential part of the narrative—not just background, but a turning point. For many people reading, this illustrates how support, encouragement, and belief can unlock potential.

What Makes Aubrey Special: Skills & Attributes

Why has Aubrey succeeded so quickly? Some of the traits and skills that set him apart:

1. Leg strength & technique – Coming from soccer, especially as a center back, he developed strong leg muscles, coordination, and precision. This translated to powerful and accurate long kicks. His ability to drive field goals from 50-60+ yards puts him among the elite.

2. Mental toughness and poise – Coaches emphasise his calm under pressure. He isn’t rattled. Missing a kick doesn’t throw off his next attempt. That steadiness is rare.

3. Work ethic and consistency – The practice with Brian Egan over multiple years, the showcases, the adjustment from soccer to football: all show intensity and consistency of training. He put in reps even when nobody was watching.

4. Adaptability – Learning the different ball shape, target, pressure, rules, stride, drop-steps for kickoffs, etc. The adaptation from soccer to American football kicking is non-trivial. He learned.

5. Timing and opportunity – The USFL provided a stage. The Cowboys needed a reliable kicker. His home state connection (Texas) may have helped visibility. And being in the right place with right performance sealed the deal.

MLS to NFL: A Rare Path

Most NFL kickers follow a more traditional path: high school football, college football, specialist camps, etc. Aubrey’s path went:

• Youth soccer → College soccer at Notre Dame

• Drafted in MLS → USL

• Released → Engineering job

• Wife’s encouragement → private kicking coach

• USFL exposure → NFL job

That “MLS to NFL pass by way of USFL” is unusual.

It speaks to an increasing trend: NFL teams are willing to evaluate non-traditional backgrounds, especially when performance and metrics (ball trajectory, distance, accuracy, consistency) are solid. Aubrey is now often cited in media as an example of how soccer players can transition well into kicking roles.

Current Status with the Cowboys

As of 2025, Aubrey is playing at a very high level for the Cowboys. Some recent developments:

• He has broken records for longest field goals for the Cowboys. His 65-yard field goal is now the franchise record.

• His field goal percentage remains high; his number of touchbacks is impactful.

• He’s earned multiple accolades: First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl selections.

Fans see him as reliable, a clutch performer, someone the team can depend on. And in environments where kicking can be a point of doubt, Aubrey has largely erased those doubts.

Lessons from Brandon Aubrey’s Journey

Brandon Aubrey’s path offers several broader takeaways:

1. Never let early setbacks define your potential – Being released in lower divisions doesn’t mean the end; it can be detours.

2. Support networks matter – Having someone who believes in you (in this case, his wife) can shift your mindset from what’s possible to what’s achievable.

3. Transferrable skills are real – Soccer’s leg strength, accuracy, discipline, and athletic foundation helped Aubrey.

4. Hard work and patience pay off – He didn’t expect overnight success. Years of training, failure, adjustment preceded opportunity.

5. Seize opportunity when it comes – When USFL provided a platform, he took it. When Cowboys signed him, he performed.

What’s Next for Aubrey

Looking ahead, several things are of interest:

• Can he maintain his high level over several NFL seasons, where the margin for error gets smaller?

• Longer field goals; perhaps chasing NFL records for longest kicks.

• Consistency in clutch moments—playoffs, cold weather, high pressure.

• Will his transition inspire more soccer-to-NFL kicker paths? Will NFL teams increasingly scout former soccer players for kicking or punting roles?

Given his trajectory, many believe he has a strong chance to be considered one of the top kickers of his generation.

Conclusion

Brandon Aubrey’s story—from MLS draft pick to setting NFL records with the Dallas Cowboys—is remarkable. It’s not just about his athletic ability, but about fortitude, the right encouragement, belief, and the courage to change direction when needed. His wife Jenn’s simple statement “you could do that” was more than words; it was a catalyst.

For anyone reading, Aubrey’s journey underscores that paths aren’t always linear. Sometimes you need to cross disciplines, take unconventional routes, endure periods of uncertainty, but with focused effort and support, exceptional things are possible. As of 2025, Brandon Aubrey stands among the elite kickers in the NFL, a testament to what can happen when talent meets opportunity—and when someone has the courage to say, “why not me?”