Borregales looking to boot Miami’s kicking woes
New Miami Hurricanes kicker Jose Borregales has his kicking routine ahead of field goals.
“I wait until it’s like second, third down [when the offense first takes over] to start hitting some balls in the net,” said Borregales, the FIU grad transfer in his first public comments last Wednesday since the crosstown move for his final year of college eligibility.
“I call my holder, he comes to me, holds some balls kicked to the net. Once it’s third down [in field goal territory], walk over to wherever the ball is. Jog out there — not too fast because you don’t want to have too much adrenaline, but you want to have enough so that you could be smooth.”
Last year for Miami, this would be the point where far too many kicks would go awry — when it was time to actually come out and make the field goal. Bubba Baxa and walk-on Turner Davidson were a combined 6 of 13 on field goals while fellow walk-on Camden Price then provided some stability late in the season, going 6 of 7.
Borregales looks to provide that consistent place kicking that was lacking early last season, and played a major role in four losses for the Hurricanes.
“When I’m out there, I’m not thinking about the fans, how long the kick is,” said Borregales. “I’m just doing my mental steps. Take three steps back, two steps to the side, get comfortable and be ready to go.”
At FIU, Borregales converted 50 of 65 career field goal attempts.
“Massive addition to our football team,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said. “Obviously, was aware of our place-kicking struggles a year ago and how that impacted into our win-loss record. We know that he’s very talented. We had a great relationship with that family. And we’re very excited, the fact that he’s already here and in, enrolling classes and going through workouts.”
When the Panthers stunned UM at Marlins Park on Nov. 23, two of his three key field goals made came from beyond 50 yards.
“I’m a competitive guy,” he said. “You always want to have the big shot and, as a kicker, you don’t get many deep kicks. So, just hitting those is a great feeling. Obviously, now as a Hurricane, I’m still trying to do the same thing. I’m going to tell coach ‘give me the chance’ because I’m going to make them.”
Borregales, whose younger brother, Andres, is the top kicking prospect in the 2021 class and is committed to UM out of Chaminade-Madonna, watched Miami struggle in the kicking game last season from afar. Baxa has since entered the transfer portal, but Borregales still views it as a competition with Price after he finished last season strong.
“No spot is secure,” he said. “I’m not coming in knowing that I’m going to be starting kicker. I’m coming in ready to work, compete. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
The decision to transfer was also one of academic benefit to Borregales as he pursues a Master’s degree in liberal studies.
“Just having a degree from University of Miami is a big deal,” he said. “Outside of football, you can get any job that you want in your field with a degree from here.”