(Photo: Brady Klain/WCSN)
After dealing with an injury for much of the season, placekicker Brandon Ruiz announced that he would be transferring from ASU this upcoming summer. The 5’10 junior from Gilbert, Arizona, a Williams Field High School product, made the announcement on his Twitter account earlier today.
Thank you Sun Devil Nation for all the support the past two years. I will be transferring from Arizona State University as a grad transfer this summer with 2 years of eligibility left.
— Brandon Ruiz (@BrandonRRuiz) October 7, 2019
Before enrolling at ASU in 2017, Ruiz decommitted from SEC powerhouse the University of Alabama to be closer to home. In his freshman campaign, Ruiz knocked in 19-of-27 field goal attempts, second amongst freshmen kickers. He also became the first ASU kicker to have their first career field goal go over 50+ yards with a 52-yarder in his first game versus New Mexico State. He was also named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week twice that season.
Ruiz continued his success with a solid sophomore season last year, converting 18-of-22 field goals, including the 28-yard game-winner against then ranked No. 15 Michigan State that propelled ASU into the top-25 at that time. His 3-for-3 performance against the Spartans earned him Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week Honors. Ruiz also made all 45 of his PAT attempts.
However, Ruiz wasn’t able to get out onto the field at all this season due to a lower extremity injury. His backup, redshirt-sophomore Cristian Zendejas, has filled in the starter role by making 10-of-13 this season, including making eight consecutive field goals to start the season. Zendejas, a walk-on, also received a scholarship earlier this season after ASU’s win over Michigan State.
Head coach Herm Edwards said during Monday’s press conference that Ruiz was still not kicking and that he had “felt a twinge” on Sunday during practice.
Ruiz will end his ASU career with a total of 37 field goals out of 49 attempts (76%). He will have made 94 PATs, including 92 consecutively. His average kickoff distance will conclude at 62.5 yards in 153 total kickoffs, including 100 total touchbacks.
