The numbers aren’t terrible for Florida State freshman kicker Ricky Aguayo.
He has hit 14 of 19 field goals, good for 73.6 percent on the season. That’s not exceptional of course. His percentage ranks 52nd in the nation right now, meaning he is slightly above average when compared to the rest of the FBS.
This is also substantially below the marks that the two FSU kickers before him set. Dustin Hopkins ranked 12th overall in 2012, while Aguayo’s older brother Roberto ranked second, fifth, and 34th from 2013-15. For many fans, Aguayo’s struggles have provoked calls for fellow freshman Logan Tyler to assume field goal duties in his place.
Unfortunately for Aguayo, he seems to be the object of ire in a case of “spoiled” fans. That’s not to say he is terribly underrated or better than he might seem. But instead, it needs to be recognized that the recent stretch of FSU placekicking has left many thinking the average is much higher than it actually is.
Players like Roberto Aguayo are extraordinarily rare. Few freshman kickers step up and immediately become Lou Groza Award winners. Roberto Aguayo left FSU as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history.
Expecting anyone to replace him and not see a drop-off is wishful thinking to say the least. Even his worst year (2015) saw Aguayo hit over 80 percent of his field goal attempts. It’s hard to not come to the conclusion that the last name is part of what has set the sky-high expectations for younger Ricky.
Hopkins was probably the kicker most like Ricky Aguayo. Affectionately known for his golden shoes, Hopkins had back-to-back years where he hit above 80 percent of his field goals, but many forget that his career did not start out that way.
His freshman (2009) and sophomore (2010) seasons were rather average as well. That’s especially true of the 2009 season, where he only hit 70.4 percent of his attempts. His development is much more in line with regular kickers as opposed to someone like Roberto Aguayo.
Let’s also keep in mind that the older Aguayo had a redshirt year. Hopkins and the younger Ricky have had to step in and kick right away.
Seminoles fans witnessed five straight seasons where FSU placekicking was among the best in the nation. To see Ricky Aguayo struggle has been jarring. Part of it is the family name, part of it is how he started off very well against Ole Miss (6-for-6 overall and 3-for-3 from 40 yards and beyond), but his “struggles” need to be put into context.
Aguayo clearly has great potential. He has the leg for 50-plus yard kicks and has continued Florida State’s streak for most consecutive extra points without a miss. He already holds the FSU record for most field goals made in one game.
Fans need to realize that Aguayo is just a true freshman that needs to find consistency. Some of that is on head coach Jimbo Fisher for putting him in disadvantageous situations like letting him continue to try long field goals against North Carolina on Oct. 1. Luckily, he seems to have realized that and has become more aggressive when on the opponent’s side of the field.
There’s no need to trot out a developing kicker for field goals that are not guaranteed even at the NFL level. In the meantime, those getting exasperated with Aguayo should be looking at the bigger picture. When they do, they’ll see a very bright future.
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