Georgia State added a missing piece to its football team Thursday when FCS All-American kicker Noel Ruiz opted to transfer from North Carolina A&T for his final season.
Ruiz, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound native of Wilson, N.C., announced his decision on Twitter. Ruiz was named to the first unit on the All-MEAC team and was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team.
Ruiz was 23-for-27 on field-goal attempts, setting a school record for successful kicks and attempts, and was 47-for-52 on extra points as a junior in helping the Aggies go 9-3 and finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He led all FCS kickers with 1.92 field goals per game and ranked fifth in field-goal percentage and 10th in scoring, with 116 points.
Ruiz was 5-for-10 on field-goal attempts and 44-for-49 on extra-point tries as a sophomore and 9-for-14 on field goals and 48-for-54 on extra points as a freshman.
Ruiz will replace Brandon Wright, who was the team’s placekicker and punter. As a senior, Wright was 12-for-18 on field-goal attempts and 48-for-49 on extra-point attempts and averaged 41.8 yards per punt. Wright kicked 32 field goals in his career with the Panthers.
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