ESPN Report:In Andy Borregales, Patriots Are Getting a Competitive Football Player Who Just Happens to Be the Best Kicker in the Country, Too…
The New England Patriots may have landed a game-changer not just for their special teams but for their overall locker room culture. With the addition of Andy Borregales, the team isn’t simply signing a kicker — they’re bringing in a fierce competitor who thrives under pressure and brings a championship mentality to every snap he takes.
Borregales, widely recognized as the top kicker in college football, has consistently demonstrated that he’s more than just a leg. His discipline, mental toughness, and work ethic are traits typically associated with team captains and field generals. Coaches and teammates alike have often praised him not just for his accuracy and range but for his unrelenting dedication to improvement. That dedication now belongs to New England.
His resume speaks for itself. At the University of Miami, Borregales earned national acclaim for both his consistency and clutch performances. Time and again, he came through in critical moments, splitting the uprights when games hung in the balance. His ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations sets him apart from other prospects. While many specialists shine in practice, Borregales has built a reputation for delivering on the biggest stages — a quality the Patriots deeply value.
But what makes Borregales stand out even more is his football IQ and toughness — rare traits for a kicker. Coaches have described him as someone who thinks like a linebacker but kicks like a pro. He doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the game and isn’t afraid to mix it up if necessary. That edge has caught the attention of the Patriots’ coaching staff, who value players that embody the team’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense identity.
“He’s a football player first,” said a Patriots scout familiar with Borregales’ college career. “He just happens to kick the ball better than anyone else in the country.”
The Patriots’ special teams unit has been in transition, especially following the departure of longtime stalwart Nick Folk. In Borregales, the team may have found its next long-term solution. With a powerful leg, impressive field goal range, and pinpoint accuracy, he checks all the boxes for an elite NFL kicker. More importantly, he brings the kind of grit and determination that fits perfectly within the Patriots’ system.
While much attention during the draft often falls on quarterbacks, wide receivers, and edge rushers, special teams remain a vital part of championship-caliber rosters. Bill Belichick has long been a proponent of elite kicking, having built previous dynasties with clutch specialists like Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Gostkowski. Borregales might be next in line to carry that torch.
As he joins New England, expectations will be high. But if history is any indication, Borregales is ready for the spotlight. In Andy Borregales, the Patriots are not just acquiring the best kicker in the nation — they’re adding a true football player, a competitor, and potentially, a cornerstone of their future success.
