Brigham Young University freshman Carter Smith secured a $3 million prize on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, by successfully kicking a 33-yard field goal during an ESPN College GameDay broadcast on the BYU campus. The windfall, which includes $2 million for Smith and $1 million for charity, was made possible after Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and his business partner, Ryan Sweeney, doubled the original $1 million prize pot.
A High-Stakes Second Chance
The high-stakes moment occurred during the ESPN College GameDay festivities held on campus prior to BYU's football game against Notre Dame. The stakes were significantly raised when Ryan Smith and Ryan Sweeney agreed to add $1 million each to the standard $1 million challenge hosted by ESPN personality and former NFL kicker Pat McAfee, according to prior reporting by Sports Business Journal.
Overcoming Initial Failure
Smith, a 21-year-old Iowa native and first-semester BYU student, faced an unexpected path to the prize. After a first attempt missed wide to the right, McAfee offered a second chance at the same dollar amount. Following advice from ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit regarding his approach, Smith successfully booted the ball through the uprights, prompting a celebration by BYU fans.
Unconventional Circumstances
The freshman's experience was marked by several unusual circumstances. Smith, who played soccer in high school but had never kicked a football, arrived at the event wearing a Spider-Man costume. He also had to borrow running shoes from a member of the crowd because he was wearing Birkenstocks at the time of the kick, the Daily Herald reported.
Unexpected Selection
Smith noted that he was selected to kick after another student was deemed ineligible for not having an ID. He also revealed that he nearly sold his spot in the raffle line to an individual offering $400, but he declined the offer. Smith told the Daily Herald that he felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity, describing the feeling as being "out of my own skin."
Managing Newfound Wealth
Following the win, Smith described a whirlwind 24-hour period involving a notarized document with a seven-day deadline to claim the funds. He reported receiving a surge of social media messages, including requests for tuition assistance and messages from former acquaintances. Smith stated he intends to invest the money in stocks, a 401k, or potentially rental properties, noting he intends to be responsible with the wealth.
Future Financial Plans
Smith, who recently returned from a mission in Argentina, said his attention is now focused on the long-term implications of his windfall. He noted that while he has no immediate financial needs, he plans to conduct research before making significant investment decisions.
