On a day that Colorado’s former kicker transferred to a rival, the Buffaloes added a kicker from one other rival.
Former Arizona State kicker Jace Feely introduced on Friday that he has dedicated to CU after two seasons with the Solar Devils.
Earlier on Friday, former CU kicker Cole Becker introduced that he’ll switch to Utah.
Feely is the second scholarship kicker added by new head coach Deion Sanders this offseason. Alejandro Mata, who kicked for Sanders at Jackson State this previous season, is coming to CU, as nicely.
The son of former NFL kicker Jay Feely, Jace is worked up for a recent begin after two seasons as a backup with the Solar Devils. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
“I’m pumped. I can’t wait to stand up there,” stated Feely, who will arrive in Boulder subsequent week. “I simply can’t wait to be included in that (new pleasure at CU underneath Sanders) and do my half.”
After redshirting in 2021, Feely, who’s from Gilbert, Ariz., was a backup to freshman Carter Brown this previous season. Feely made his solely additional level try, kicked off 4 instances (with two touchbacks) and in addition punted as soon as for 37 yards. In his highschool profession, he was 16-of-22 on subject objectives with an extended of 52 yards.
“(ASU) was undoubtedly a terrific studying interval of how faculty soccer works,” he stated. “I labored my butt off there for about two and a half years and I felt like I put in all that I might there and it was time for me to maneuver on on the finish of the season.”
Feely can have some familiarity with Folsom Area. ASU beat the Buffs, 42-34, on Oct. 29 in Boulder. The 6-foot, 215-pounder stated he was hitting subject objectives from 65 yards throughout pregame warm-ups that day.
Becker dealt with CU’s kicking duties the previous two seasons, going 25-of-33 on subject objectives, and kicked off this previous season. Now, Feely and Mata will compete for these roles.
“I really like competitors,” Feely stated. “I feel it’s such a robust bond that kickers and particular groups models have collectively and I can’t wait to fulfill the fellows and meet my competitors.”
Feely doesn’t take into account himself as only a kicker, nevertheless. He truly performed linebacker at Gilbert Christian (Ariz.) Excessive Faculty and compiled 66 tackles, six sacks, seven brought on fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries in solely seven video games as a senior in 2020.
“I like to go hit and I really feel like I can deliver somewhat bit extra than simply a median kicker would,” he stated. “I’m simply an athlete that may kick.”
Feely realized find out how to kick from his father, who performed within the NFL from 2001-14 for six groups. Jay Feely ranks twenty eighth in NFL historical past with 332 made subject objectives and thirtieth with 1,451 profession factors scored.
“Every thing that I do know has been via him,” Jace stated. “He’s carried out a terrific job elevating me and never forcing me into it, letting me develop alone and discover a love for the game and a love for kicking. He’s been there each step of the best way, providing his information and expertise and his hardships after I undergo them and being in my nook.”
Jace is raring to create some nice moments for himself, however fondly remembers his father’s greatest recreation. In 2010, Jay scored 22 factors – together with a 5-yard landing run on a faux subject aim and a 55-yard subject aim – within the Arizona Cardinals’ 43-13 rout of the Denver Broncos.
“After that recreation, the largest recreation of his life, he comes and grabs me out of the stands and I run on the sector with him and into the locker room,” Jace stated. “That was particular and one thing I’ll always remember.”
