In 2020, Bucs incumbent kicker Ryan Succop offered stability to a position that has been a revolving door for years in Tampa Bay. Succop has been excellent through two seasons, but a challenger has arisen. On Tuesday at the Combine, GM Jason Licht said he expects second-year kicker Jose Borregales to compete with Succop this offseason.

“I think he will compete,” Licht said. “We love what [Ryan] Succop has done for us the last couple years. But Jose has a strong leg and has been consistent for us all year in practice. Now, practice and games are two separate things. But I am excited to see what he does this year in camp.”

The Bucs signed Borregales as an undrafted free agent in 2021. The rookie spent the entire year on the team’s practice squad. Under league rules, teams were allowed to protect four players on the practice squad each week. Interestingly, Borregales was protected all but one week during the season.

Bucs K Ryan Succop – Photo by: USA Today

While Succop has performed well in his role, he is limited. Over the season, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians voiced his displeasure with the kicking game several times. Succop lacks a powerful leg, which decreases his range. Last season he went 25-30 on field goal attempts, but four of those misses came from beyond 40 yards. He also had a costly missed field goal in the divisional round game against the Rams.

Borregales is a former Lou Groza winner as the best kicker in college football. He went 20-22 in college with the Miami Hurricanes, making all 37 extra points. His 57-yarder against Louisville was the longest kick in school history. During training camp, Borregales showed off a big leg, connecting routinely from 40 and beyond. In addition, Succop’s $2.5 million cap hit will make him easier to cut if he struggles in camp.