Vikings Signing Big Leg XFL Kicker John Parker Romo

The Minnesota Vikings will have a new field goal kicker when the new NFL league year begins on Wednesday. According to Tom Pelissero (NFL Network), his name is John Parker Romo and his most recent professional kicking job was in the XFL with the San Antonio Brahmans in 2023.

Minnesota Vikings sign John Parker Romo

Romo has also spent time with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. In other words, he’s young but he gets around the NFC North. What’s intriguing about Romo, you ask? Well, he can split the uprights from over 70 yards out… so that’s something.

Big ball for a big week. 73 🦵 pic.twitter.com/o8QlddPdMc

— Parker Romo (@Romo_HKA) March 3, 2024

Romo won kicking guru Gary Zauner’s field goal kicking competition on Saturday with a 64-yard FG and received three offers afterwards, which is a little bit funny since he isn’t some new no-named kicker that nobody in the league had ever seen prior to the weekend.

After spending the first three years of his college kicking career at Central Arkansas and Tulsa, Romo became a three-year letterman for Virginia Tech. As a super senior in 2021, Romo handled place-kicking duties for the Hokies, making 18-of-22 field goals, including 7-of-9 from 40+ yards.

I said yesterday this kids foot just hits the ball “different”!
Today he comes out and kicks a 61 yarder in front of 20+ NFL teams! John Parker Romo of Virginia Tech will be kicking on Sundays! @HokiesFBall @TropicalBowlUSA @Romo_HKA #TakeABag pic.twitter.com/4JXIVxfzDZ

— CalvaryWarriorsHC (@WarriorsFB_HC) January 14, 2022

Related: Vikings to Sign Former No. 3 Overall Pick Sam Darnold

We do not know yet how much competition the Vikings will bring in for their new kicker. After putting up one of the worst kicking seasons in the NFL last year, incumbent Greg Joseph is set to become a free agent on Wednesday afternoon.