Georgia Tech has secured a transfer who has the potential to significantly upgrade the kicking game in Tennessee kicker Brent Cimaglia, who announced he will join the Yellow Jackets as a grad transfer. Cimaglia made the announcement Sunday.
In four seasons with the Volunteers, Cimaglia made 46 of 62 field-goal tries (74.2%) and was 88-for-89 on point-after tries. In 2019-20, he was 16-for-22 on field-goal tries from 40 yards and out. In the 2019 season, he was 23-for-27 and was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top kicker. He took 10 kickoffs as a freshman, recording four touchbacks.
In 2020, Cimaglia played in eight games while dealing with injuries. He was 5-for-9 before deciding to opt out with two games remaining, citing a need to focus on his mental and physical health. Then-coach Jeremy Pruitt said at the time that Cimaglia intended to return to the team for the 2021 season, using the extra season of eligibility granted to all fall-sports athletes. He announced his decision to play his last season elsewhere Jan. 29.
Tech was in the market for a kicker after having difficulties in the kicking game last season, when the Jackets were 3-for-8 on field-goal attempts, with multiple tries blocked at the line of scrimmage. Kicker Gavin Stewart did make his two final field-goal tries of the season, from 26 and 22 yards against N.C. State, and was 22-for-24 on point-after tries.
Cimaglia’s arrival will create even more competition at the position, with Jude Kelley, Austin Kent, Steven Verdisco and Stewart all returning.
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