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IFort Lauderdale, FL — When games are close, it all comes down to the kicking game. The value of a kicker making big kicks in big moments is immeasurable in big-time games. Specialists from South Florida are making a name for themselves on the national scene as of late and new talent continues to sprout on the fertile ground.
Jose Borregales out of Miami Booker T. Washington made all of South Florida proud when he was picked up by the super bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent just after the 2021 NFL draft.
Jose started his career with FIU and completed his senior year winning the Lou Groza award as a Miami Hurricane. The Groza is awarded to the nation’s best collegiate kicker.
His brother Andy is seemingly following in his sibling’s footsteps as he was considered the number two kicker of the 2021 class in the country according to 247 Sports coming out of Hialeah Champagnat High School and is already impressed in the spring in Coral Gables. Andy Borregales will kick for the Miami Hurricanes this season as a freshman.
In the 2022 class, Will Bettridge is one of the next great kickers to come out of the area from Miami Gulliver Prep. According to Kohl’s Kicking Camp, Bettridge is considered the seventh-best kicker in the nation. Bettridge is committed to the Virginia Cavaliers.
Saturday, 4th Down University held its Battle At The Beach Competition at Cardinal Gibbons High School. Coach Dan Lundy, an alumnus of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes national championship team, ran the event and helped young area specialists get better at their craft. Lundy has trained 84 All-Americans including three Groza award winners.
Plenty of talent on display at the @4thDownU camp in Fort Lauderdale, including standout senior @MonsignorPaceFB kicker @ZacharyAkicker. Alvarez won the competition among the top four. He hits from 54 here and was about a foot away from hitting from 60. pic.twitter.com/mTA4TvT9EA
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 1, 2021
Top Performers
Zachary Alvarez, 2022, Miami Monsignor Pace
The senior kicker was impressive during the entire competition. Overall he placed first out of all kickers on the day and was clutch in the “Big Ball” finals competition drilling a field goal from 58 yards to claim the title.
Alvarez is a first generation student who hopes to land an offer from an Ivy League school as he currently holds a 5.0 GPA taking mostly AP classes.
The senior has received interest from Yale, Alabama A&M and McPherson College thus far.
👟💥🏈 #4thDownU https://t.co/14OXZEb57D
— 4th Down University™️ (@4thDownU) August 1, 2021
Christian Silverstein, 2023, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Kicking on his home turf, Silverstein felt comfortable and drilled kicks from all over the field. The junior connected on 60% of his field goals and tied for first place with Alvarez on the day.
Tyler Patterson, 2023, Fort Pierce Central
Patterson traveled from Fort Pierce to Fort Lauderdale and the ball traveled a great distance from his foot. The junior has a strong leg and smashed the football with great distance with consistency. Patterson finished second in the “Big Ball” competition by a narrow margin.
The talented Tyler Patterson @Tpkicker from Fort Pierce hits from 56 at the @4thDownU camp at @CGHSChiefs High School. pic.twitter.com/VShw0pyCcr
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 1, 2021
Robert Hammond III, 2023, Atlantic Delray
The gifted kicker has a quick delivery and has a natural ability to drive the football through the uprights. Hammond (RH III) played with a slight injury to his foot but persevered throughout the camp and was clearly earned himself in the top four at the conclusion of the camp.
Impressive showing from Robert @Hammond_3rd, kicker from @AHS_BALL. This kick, from 57 yards at the @4thDownU specialist camp at @CGHSFL. pic.twitter.com/6qWMBYpVTf
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 1, 2021
Kristian Hobbs, 2024, Davie Western
Considering how young Hobbs is now, he could be considered one of the best in the country once he reaches his senior year. Hobbs is a solid punter as well and pushed the upperclassmen to their limits Saturday. Kristian hit a 54-yarder in the “Big Ball” competition and certainly is a kicker to watch for the future.
.@kristian_hobbs, 2024 talent form @WHSFball, hits from 54 yards at the @4thDownU camp at @GibbonsFootball High School. pic.twitter.com/xxsRolGd3F
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 1, 2021
Coach Lundy and 4th Down University plan to hold this competition quarterly at Cardinal Gibbons.
