The Bucs have a real competition going between kickers Ryan Succop and Jose Borregales in camp.

Succop is the incumbent, spending the last two seasons as the team’s starting kicker. And he’s performed extremely well in that role, making 53 of 61 field goal attempts and knocking in 108 of 116 extra point attempts. However, he’ll be 36 years old at the start of the season and has limitations on his distance, going 15 of 22 beyond 40 yards out in the last two years.

Borregales is just 24 years old and was protected on the Bucs’ practice squad for the entire 2021 season. He has a booming leg, knocking through 24 of his 33 attempts from beyond 40 yards out – with a career long of 57 yards – during his four-year college career spent between Florida International and Miami. The former Lou Groza Award winner made 70 of his 88 field goals overall and knocked though 168 of his 171 extra points in college. When it comes to the competition between him and Succop, Borregales is just trying to put his best foot forward – pun intended.

“Well, it’s a competition and obviously you want to do your best, so just going out here every day and doing my best,” Borregales said. “Trying to kick every single one, make it 100%. Really not worried about what Ryan [Succop] is doing because were two different people, two different styles of kickers. So, anything [I can do] to help him, he helps me out. It’s been fun.”

Experience The Only Thing Borregales Is Lacking

Bucs K Jose Borregales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As far as the biggest difference between the two kickers, Borregales spoke about Succop’s experience. Borregales has been trying to soak up as much from him as he can. And while Succop may have the experience, that’s not the only thing that will win this competition.

“I guess the experience,” Borregales said. “He has 13 years on me playing at this level. So, anything I can learn from him is what I’ll take.”

Borregales is focused on “just being himself” in the kicking battle. He wants to be “the kicker that he is and not worrying about anything else.” The best way for him to win the job is by being consistent. That includes not straying from his routine – the same one he’s always had.

“Just staying in the same routine I’ve had since college,” Borregales said. “Nothing’s really changed. I still have the same warmup, the same kicks, same distances. It’s really just keeping that rhythm going, keeping that ‘A’ ball ready to go and just whenever they put me out there, just make the kicks.

So far in camp, Borregales has impressed on his kicks. Near perfect, his only miss came from 49 yards out. He’s hit several from over 50 yards, whereas Succop has done most of his kicking from inside 45 yards. He’ll need to show he can continue to make his kicks, especially during preseason games, to secure the kicking job.