Cam Little Warns Harry Kane of NFL’s Mental Challenge

Harry Kane has the technical quality to kick in the NFL, but Jacksonville Jaguars specialist Cam Little believes the England captain would face a far greater adjustment away from the ball than in striking it.

Kane’s NFL ambition faces a mental test

Kane, Bayern Munich’s forward and England’s captain, has previously spoken about attempting an NFL career in the future. He recently suggested he could pursue that objective while also playing for an MLS club.

Little, who began as a soccer midfielder before moving into American football during high school, said Kane’s clean striking and set-piece technique would give him a credible foundation. The Jaguars kicker’s concern was the different rhythm and responsibility of the position.

• An elite striker is involved throughout a 90-minute match, while an NFL kicker can spend long periods waiting on the sideline.
• Little said Kane would need to accept a reduced role within the action, relying on the rest of the team to create the opportunity before being called upon to complete it.
• He compared the pressure to taking only five set pieces in a day, with every attempt carrying major importance.
• Little said Kane has sufficient ability for the switch, but described the psychological adaptation as considerably different from soccer.

“The change from soccer to football is much more about culture than pure ability,” Little said. He added that Kane’s level as a striker would mean putting aside the confidence and influence he normally has in matches before delivering in isolated moments.

Little’s Wembley finish against Philadelphia

Little spoke while the Jaguars prepared in Watford, north of London, for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium. Jacksonville stayed in the capital after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 19-17 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the previous Sunday.

The 2024 sixth-round selection from Arkansas decided that game with a 57-yard field goal on the final play. Little has also set the NFL’s longest field-goal record, converting from 68 yards.

His decisive kick followed a difficult sequence late in the fourth quarter. A high snap from reserve long snapper DaVon Hamilton contributed to Little missing an extra point, and Philadelphia then moved 17-16 ahead with eight seconds remaining. The Jaguars nevertheless created one final opportunity, which Little converted from distance.

Speaking after the Eagles game in a Manchester United shirt, Little drew on the mindset required of attacking players after a missed chance.

“Strikers can miss a set piece or an open goal and still return to settle the match,” he said. “I have to forget it quickly and be ready when the moment matters most.”

A Manchester United supporter in London

Little is an Oklahoma native and a committed Manchester United fan. Wayne Rooney, the former England and United forward, was his childhood favourite.

• Little planned to attend Fulham’s home fixture against Hull at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
• Jaguars owner Shad Khan is also the owner of Fulham.
• Little said he hopes one day to meet Rooney or exchange shirts with him.
• He has visited London but has not yet been to Manchester, and hopes to make that trip during the offseason.