Before playing in the UFL, Bates appeared in a preseason game for the Houston Texans, where he made two of his three extra-point attempts. Before starting his pro career, he kicked for two seasons at Texas State and one at Arkansas. As a senior kick-off specialist with the Razorbacks in 2022, Bates earned First-Team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches, leading the conference with an average of 64.47 yards per kickoff, a mark that ranked fourth nationally.
