Former Florida International kicker Jose Borregales announced via twitter on Sunday that he will be the first addition to the Miami Hurricanes via the transfer portal in 2020.
Jose Borregales made a huge difference in the 30-24 victory by Florida International over the Miami Hurricanes at Marlins Park in November. The decision by Borreagles to join the Miami football program should have the same impact that Australian punter Lou Hedley did in 2019. Borregales has had an elite career at FIU.
In three seasons with the Panthers, Borregales has made 131 of 134 extra points for 97.8 percent and 50 of 66 field goals for 75.8 percent. In 2019 Borregales made 21-29 field goal attempts for 72.4 percent to rank 71st in the country. Borregales’ middling field goal percentage is deceiving.
The rising fifth-year senior has a strong leg and attempted an exceptional amount of long field goals in his career. Borregales is 15-22 from 30-39 yards, 11-16 from 40-49 yards and 4-6 from 50 plus in three seasons with the Panthers. The newest addition to the Miami Hurricanes was 2-2 from 50 plus against his new team.
The three field goals Borragales made against Miami had a huge impact in FIU’s victory in November. An accurate, strong-legged kicker takes a lot of pressure off of the offense. FIU was able to score six points, which was the margin of victory against Miami, without having to get inside the Hurricanes’ 30-yard line.
Blessed to be given this opportunity🙏 no matter the hate I’m ready to work🟢🟠 #CaneGang🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/jz25WvVFX4
— Jose Borregales (@F5_Jose) January 12, 2020
The addition of Borregales to the Hurricanes is likely to the beginning of a family pipeline to the U. Borregales’ brother Andres is the top-ranked kicker in the Class of 2021 and committed to Miami. Camden Price who took over the kicking duties for Miami late in the season made his only field goal attempt from 22 yards against FIU.
Price was 18-18 on extra points and 6-7 on field goals attempts for the Miami Hurricanes in 2019. The success Price had was impressive but Miami needs more in the future and should have that with Borregales. Price was 5-5 from 20-29 yards and 1-1 from 30 yards or more. The longest field goal Price made in 2019 was 32 yards.
The addition of Borregales to the Miami Hurricanes is the second straight season they will add a key player on special teams. Australian punter
made a big impact on the Miami Hurricanes in 2019 after replacing legacy punter
who failed in his two years with UM.
Hedley finished 26th in the country in 2019 in punting with a 43.88-yard average. In two seasons with Miami in 2017 and 18, Feagles averaged 38.7 yards per punt. The ability for Hedley to flip the field was important for Miami and took some strain off the Hurricanes defense even if it didn’t show on offense.
With Borregales now added to the Miami Hurricanes, the offense will have some pressure taken off of them. New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee should feel confident Miami can score anytime they get inside the opponent’s 35-yard line. Miami will miss Bubba Baxa on kickoffs if he decides to transfer.
Baxa finished 14th in the nation in 2019 averaging 63.6 yards per kickoff. Borregales was 56th averaging 61.77 yards on kickoffs in 2019. Sometimes you have to sacrifice one area to improve another. Since Manny Diaz took over as the Miami Hurricanes head coach 54 weeks ago the Hurricanes kicking game is vastly upgraded.