Risen Star
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It wouldn’t be all that shocking if this becomes the first year since 1998 that not a single kicker or punter ends up being drafted.
Certainly, the odds are against a blank job. Slightly more than two kickers and two punters have been drafted on average over the last eight years.
Nevertheless, the reviews for what’s available in the 2025 draft wouldn’t engender a whole lot of optimism. It’s a thin list at long snapper, too.
Listen to how one experienced special-teams coach sized up the three-pronged foundation of special teams.
Kickers: “I don’t think there’s anybody that should get drafted. Unless you got three extra draft picks.”
Punters: “I think you’d have to be crazy to give anybody a draft pick. There’s nobody there I would jump off and say, ‘I’ve gotta have this punter.’”
Long snappers: “There’s nobody that should be drafted. Nobody.”
Another veteran of NFL special teams has found a few more rays of sunlight.
“It’s not a very strong class for kickers and punters,” the coach said. “Late (rounds) for the kickers. The first three punters are potentially draftable, and I didn’t think any of the long snappers are draftable. I couldn’t tell you the last time a snapper was drafted.”
After at least one long snapper was drafted from 2015-’21, none has gone in the past three years. Ten snappers have been selected in the last 20 years; the highest of the draftees, Navy’s Joe Cardona, went to New England in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and has been a rock for the Patriots, snapping every game other than the last three in 2022 when he was felled by a foot injury.
Some point to the Bears’ selection of Patrick Mannelly in the sixth round in 1998 as the starting point for drafted snappers. Mannelly, however, was listed as a tackle/long snapper in Chicago’s 1998 media guide after he started two seasons on the offensive line at Duke.
Surprisingly, the high-water period for long snappers occurred two decades ago when 10 were drafted in the four years from 2000-’03. Not one was taken in the five drafts from 2010-’14.
It has been said that kickers are more vital than punters because they score points. In the eyes of NFL teams, they’re on equal footing. The 20-year draft registry shows 41 kickers and 39 punters. Interestingly, eight punters have been taken in the rich rounds of 2-4 compared to seven kickers.
“He’s 95% (in his career) on what I call clutch kicks. I do not think he’s a great kickoff guy. He has solid enough leg strength but it’s not overwhelming. With the rules changes, the kickoffs aren’t as big a deal as they’ve been in the past. You’ve got to look long and hard for the best field-goal kicker.” Made 18 of 19 in 2024, his 94.7% ranking fourth in the country. Finished his career at 86.1% (74 of 86), which includes 77.4% (24 of 31) from 40 yards and longer. Also made 184 of 185 extra points. “I don’t think he kicks a real high ball,” another coach said. “He hits a low trajectory ball.” His brother, Jose (5-10, 207) kicked for the Hurricanes in 2020, his final year of eligibility. Jose, who made 80.5% in one season at Miami and four at Florida International, spent 2021 on Tampa Bay’s practice squad before being released in 2022. “Jose (was) kicking in the CFL,” said one coach. “This guy (Andy) is better than his brother.” Three-star recruit from Miami. “He’s kind of like his brother,” said one coach. “He (Jose) got a lot of opportunity and was pretty good. He (Andy) is a good college kicker.” Venezuelan American was born in Caracas and immigrated to the U.S. as a toddler.
2. BEN SAULS, Pittsburgh (5-10, 186, 6-7): Kicked in one game in 2020 and served as a kickoff specialist in ’21 before starting from 2022-’24. “Left-footed,” one coach said. “Some holders have never held for a lefty. How many left-footed kickers are in the NFL? The answer is none.” Some notable left-footed booters of the past would include Morten Andersen, Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers, John Kasay and Joe Nedney. Career mark of 81.3% (52 of 64) includes 73% (27 of 37) from 40-plus. Hit six of seven from 50-plus in 2024. “He’s got a pretty powerful leg,” a second coach said. “He’s 91% (career) in the clutch. The only issue is he’s a lefty, and you’d have to figure out how you practice that in training camp to give him a fair shot. He’s pretty solid. He is stronger than Borregales is but he’s just not quite as accurate as a field-goal kicker.” Made 122 of 124 extra points. Posted a touchback rate of 63.3% and average distance of 63 yards on 316 kickoffs. All-state soccer player from Tipp City, Ohio.
3. TYLER LOOP, Arizona (5-11 ½, 191, 7-FA): Punted 24 times as a freshman (43.0) but didn’t punt after that. Functioned as the short-field kicker in 2021 before going on to start three seasons. “He’s a very, very strong guy and a really effective kickoff guy,” one coach said. “He was at the combine and was very solid. Made 14 of 15 there. Hasn’t been quite as good 40 and over and certainly not been as good in the clutch at 60%.” Finished at 83.8% (67 of 80), including 66.7% (22 of 33) from 40-plus. Made one from 62 in 2024. On extra points, he was 126 of 128. Kicked off 210 times with a touchback rate of 81.4%. “He’s got a hell of a leg,” said another coach. “Compared to kickers of the past, he was up there. But he kicked like **** at the Hula Bowl. Good kickers shouldn’t have good days and bad days. He had a bad week. He has the most potential. He’s pretty cocky but he’s pretty good.” From Lucas, Texas.
Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State (5-11, 193)
Said one coach: “He’s been relatively accurate. He’s been very good in the clutch. My biggest issue is he does not hit a very high ball and I worry some about balls getting blocked.”
Caden Davis, Mississippi (6-1 ½, 208)
Said one coach: “He’s got a hell of a story. He went from being a starter to being benched last year. He started this year guns blazin’. I thought he and Loop were the best kickers. Then at the end of the season he goes in the tank and missed a couple kicks, and then at the combine he didn’t kick real well. I think he’s more of a head case. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.”
Maddux Trujillo, Temple (6-0 ½, 172)
Said one scout: “He has a very explosive leg. Just very inconsistent. He’s a little bit like Caden Davis. Lot of ability but his misses can be bad, bad, bad.”
Certainly, the odds are against a blank job. Slightly more than two kickers and two punters have been drafted on average over the last eight years.
Nevertheless, the reviews for what’s available in the 2025 draft wouldn’t engender a whole lot of optimism. It’s a thin list at long snapper, too.
Listen to how one experienced special-teams coach sized up the three-pronged foundation of special teams.
Kickers: “I don’t think there’s anybody that should get drafted. Unless you got three extra draft picks.”
Punters: “I think you’d have to be crazy to give anybody a draft pick. There’s nobody there I would jump off and say, ‘I’ve gotta have this punter.’”
Long snappers: “There’s nobody that should be drafted. Nobody.”
Another veteran of NFL special teams has found a few more rays of sunlight.
“It’s not a very strong class for kickers and punters,” the coach said. “Late (rounds) for the kickers. The first three punters are potentially draftable, and I didn’t think any of the long snappers are draftable. I couldn’t tell you the last time a snapper was drafted.”
After at least one long snapper was drafted from 2015-’21, none has gone in the past three years. Ten snappers have been selected in the last 20 years; the highest of the draftees, Navy’s Joe Cardona, went to New England in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and has been a rock for the Patriots, snapping every game other than the last three in 2022 when he was felled by a foot injury.
Some point to the Bears’ selection of Patrick Mannelly in the sixth round in 1998 as the starting point for drafted snappers. Mannelly, however, was listed as a tackle/long snapper in Chicago’s 1998 media guide after he started two seasons on the offensive line at Duke.
Surprisingly, the high-water period for long snappers occurred two decades ago when 10 were drafted in the four years from 2000-’03. Not one was taken in the five drafts from 2010-’14.
It has been said that kickers are more vital than punters because they score points. In the eyes of NFL teams, they’re on equal footing. The 20-year draft registry shows 41 kickers and 39 punters. Interestingly, eight punters have been taken in the rich rounds of 2-4 compared to seven kickers.
KICKERS
1. ANDY BORREGALES, Miami (5-11, 202, 6-7): Four-year starter. “If you’re looking for the most consistent field-goal kicker this is probably the guy,” one special-teams coach said.“He’s 95% (in his career) on what I call clutch kicks. I do not think he’s a great kickoff guy. He has solid enough leg strength but it’s not overwhelming. With the rules changes, the kickoffs aren’t as big a deal as they’ve been in the past. You’ve got to look long and hard for the best field-goal kicker.” Made 18 of 19 in 2024, his 94.7% ranking fourth in the country. Finished his career at 86.1% (74 of 86), which includes 77.4% (24 of 31) from 40 yards and longer. Also made 184 of 185 extra points. “I don’t think he kicks a real high ball,” another coach said. “He hits a low trajectory ball.” His brother, Jose (5-10, 207) kicked for the Hurricanes in 2020, his final year of eligibility. Jose, who made 80.5% in one season at Miami and four at Florida International, spent 2021 on Tampa Bay’s practice squad before being released in 2022. “Jose (was) kicking in the CFL,” said one coach. “This guy (Andy) is better than his brother.” Three-star recruit from Miami. “He’s kind of like his brother,” said one coach. “He (Jose) got a lot of opportunity and was pretty good. He (Andy) is a good college kicker.” Venezuelan American was born in Caracas and immigrated to the U.S. as a toddler.
2. BEN SAULS, Pittsburgh (5-10, 186, 6-7): Kicked in one game in 2020 and served as a kickoff specialist in ’21 before starting from 2022-’24. “Left-footed,” one coach said. “Some holders have never held for a lefty. How many left-footed kickers are in the NFL? The answer is none.” Some notable left-footed booters of the past would include Morten Andersen, Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers, John Kasay and Joe Nedney. Career mark of 81.3% (52 of 64) includes 73% (27 of 37) from 40-plus. Hit six of seven from 50-plus in 2024. “He’s got a pretty powerful leg,” a second coach said. “He’s 91% (career) in the clutch. The only issue is he’s a lefty, and you’d have to figure out how you practice that in training camp to give him a fair shot. He’s pretty solid. He is stronger than Borregales is but he’s just not quite as accurate as a field-goal kicker.” Made 122 of 124 extra points. Posted a touchback rate of 63.3% and average distance of 63 yards on 316 kickoffs. All-state soccer player from Tipp City, Ohio.
3. TYLER LOOP, Arizona (5-11 ½, 191, 7-FA): Punted 24 times as a freshman (43.0) but didn’t punt after that. Functioned as the short-field kicker in 2021 before going on to start three seasons. “He’s a very, very strong guy and a really effective kickoff guy,” one coach said. “He was at the combine and was very solid. Made 14 of 15 there. Hasn’t been quite as good 40 and over and certainly not been as good in the clutch at 60%.” Finished at 83.8% (67 of 80), including 66.7% (22 of 33) from 40-plus. Made one from 62 in 2024. On extra points, he was 126 of 128. Kicked off 210 times with a touchback rate of 81.4%. “He’s got a hell of a leg,” said another coach. “Compared to kickers of the past, he was up there. But he kicked like **** at the Hula Bowl. Good kickers shouldn’t have good days and bad days. He had a bad week. He has the most potential. He’s pretty cocky but he’s pretty good.” From Lucas, Texas.
THE NEXT THREE
Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State (5-11, 193)
Said one coach: “He’s been relatively accurate. He’s been very good in the clutch. My biggest issue is he does not hit a very high ball and I worry some about balls getting blocked.”
Caden Davis, Mississippi (6-1 ½, 208)
Said one coach: “He’s got a hell of a story. He went from being a starter to being benched last year. He started this year guns blazin’. I thought he and Loop were the best kickers. Then at the end of the season he goes in the tank and missed a couple kicks, and then at the combine he didn’t kick real well. I think he’s more of a head case. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane.”
Maddux Trujillo, Temple (6-0 ½, 172)
Said one scout: “He has a very explosive leg. Just very inconsistent. He’s a little bit like Caden Davis. Lot of ability but his misses can be bad, bad, bad.”
