Former Miami Hurricanes kicker Jose Borregales was named the third-best specialist and top-ranked kicker among undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft. Borregales was the top-ranked kicker entering the NFL Draft, but Evan McPherson of Florida was the only kicker selected.
Borregales had an outstanding career and won the Groza Award as the top kicker in the nation in his only season with the Miami Hurricanes in 2020. In three seasons with FIU and one with Miami, Borregales made 98.2 percent of his PATs, 79.5 percent of his field-goal attempts and scored 378 points.
Borregales had by far his best collegiate season with Miami. In 11 games, Borregales made all 37 of his PATs, was 20-22 on field-goal attempts and scored 97 points. The 97 points were just three off the career-high Borregales set in 2019 with FIU in 13 games. Borregales made all 11 of his field-goal attempts inside 40 yards in 2020.
Borregales made 7-9 field goals from 40-49 yards and both of his attempts from 50 or more yards. A season-long of 57 yards for Borregales came against Louisville. Borregales announced via Twitter shortly after the 2021 NFL Draft on Saturday night he signed with the defending Superbowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Specialists
- Max Duffy, punter, Kentucky
- James Smith, punter, Cincinnati
- Jose Borregales, kicker, Miami
- Riley Patterson, kicker, Memphis (UPDATE: Signing with the Vikings, per Tom Pelissero.)
- Drue Chrisman, punter, Ohio State
- Oscar Bradburn, punter, Virginia Tech
- Turner Bernard, long snapper, San Diego State
Courtesy NFL.Com
Excited to announce I’ve signed with the #Bucs ‼️‼️ Let’s get to work!! pic.twitter.com/ew4p1PreJp
— Jose Borregales (@F5_Jose) May 1, 2021
Borregales will compete with incumbent Tampa Bay kicker Ryan Succop. Succop was 28-31 on field goal attempts in 2020 and 52 out of his 57 PAT. In the NFL the PAT is snapped from the 15 yardline compared to the more traditional two in college. Succop made 7-9 field goal attempts from beyond 40 yards and 1-2 from 50 plus.
Borreagales stabilized Miami’s kicking in 2020. Replacing Borregales will be his brother, 2022 signee, Andres. Some say Andres is better. Andres Borregales made 15 of his 20 field-goal attempts and 67 out of 69 PATS during his college career. Borregales was the third-ranked kicker in the country in the Class of 2022.