Arizona State kicker Brandon Ruiz plans to transfer
Oct 7, 2019, 4:30 PM | Updated: 7:28 pm
Arizona State place kicker Brandon Ruiz (1) connects for the game-winning field goal against Michigan State as he gets helps from holder Josh Pokraka, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State defeated Michigan State 16-13. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State University junior kicker Brandon Ruiz announced Monday that he plans to transfer from the program next offseason.
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
Ruiz has not kicked this year due to what has been called a lower-body injury that has put his status on a week-to-week basis.
Head coach Herm Edwards said Monday that Ruiz has still not been kicking, with Ruiz still feeling a “little twinge” this past weekend.
Walk-on sophomore Christian Zendejas has been kicking in Ruiz’s place for the 2019 season. He is 10-of-13 on field goals this year and has converted on all 12 of his extra point attempts. Zendejas was awarded a scholarship in mid-September.
Ruiz had been named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list before the season after making all 45 of his extra point attempts and hitting 18 of his 22 field goal attempts as a sophomore. He made three field goals in two different weeks, including being named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week once.
Arizona State was off last week and is back in action on Saturday against Washington State. You can listen to that game live at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN 620 AM.
