The top 100 FSU football players: No. 64— kicker Roberto Aguayo

FSU has a storied past when it comes to missed, tipped, and blocked kicks—with plenty of those stories not ending in their favor— but, there are not many schools that rival the Seminoles when it comes to the talent they’ve had at the kicking position throughout the years and the next entry on our countdown is a perfect example.

Roberto Aguayo is the second kicker to appear in our top 100, and for good reason. In his three years at FSU, Aguayo became one of the most successful placekickers in college football history.

Aguayo holds multiple NCAA records including most points kicking in a single season with 157, most extra points made in a season with 94, and is one of a handful of kickers to never miss an extra-point in their college career (minimum of 100 attempts), converting all 198 of his tries.

The majority of these records were obviously set in 2013 with FSU having the most prolific offense in college football history. And while he certainly had an abundance of opportunities, he still had to put the ball through the uprights—and he did.

That historic season would ultimately see Aguayo win the Lou Groza award, given to the most outstanding kicker in college football.

And while we’re on the topic of the 2013 season, Aguayo’s performance in the National Championship game is often lost in the shuffle because of all of the memorable plays and late drama that game produced. (An honorable mention goes out to Cason Beatty for his dutiful work holding for Aguayo and excellent selling of the fake punt. He won’t make this top 100, but will always be number one in Juan Montalvo’s heart)

Back to Aguayo. In the biggest game of his career it was business as usual for the redshirt freshman, who was perfect on the evening, contributing 10 points through four extra points and two field goals, including a 41-yarder in the third quarter that made it a one-possession game.

Raising the crystal ball in 2013 required contributions from all three phases of the game and Aguayo rose to the occasion.

Aguayo continued his success the following year as he was again named a finalist for the Groza award. He also became known for striking fear in the hearts of rivals:

When all was said and done, Aguayo would earn three consecutive first-team All-American nods and finish his career at FSU second in the school’s history in points behind Dustin Hopkins. It’s likely Aguayo would have broken that record as well, if not for forgoing his senior season in favor of the NFL.

Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft, Aguayo has struggled to maintain his college form with the added pressure of being taken so high.

After bouncing around the league over the last two years, and looked solid in preseason for the Chargers this past year. Considered by many local media to be the favorite for the job, the team still decided to cut Aguayo.

The former ’Nole recently did an interview detailing the time he has taken out to work on his mental health and is determined to get back to the league. Florida State fans are certainly rooting for him.