Noel Ruiz, Behind the Mask

Football

Behind the Mask: Noel Ruiz

Meet the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week

NOEL RUIZ
Placekicker | R-Senior | Wilson, N.C. (Fike HS/North Carolina A&T)

ON THE FIELD

> Graduate transfer from North Carolina A&T, where he was an FCS All-American in 2019.

> Has hit 11 of 14 field goals and 30 of 31 extra points this season.

> Leads Sun Belt kickers with 7.9 points per game (second among all players) and 1.38 field goals per game.

> Named Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week and a Lou Groza Award Star of the Week after kicking three field goals and scoring 10 points in win over Georgia Southern. His third FG of the game, from 35 yards, gave Georgia State a six-point lead with two minutes left.

"I knew it was going to be a close game, so I was very happy that I was able to help the team and step up when we needed it. To come back and beat them the way we did, it was just an incredible day."

> Kicked a 25-yard field goal in OT and made all four PAT in his GSU debut vs. No. 19 Louisiana.

> Shares the school record of seven PAT in a game (vs. East Carolina, Arkansas State and ULM).

> Booted three field goals in win over Troy and two at App State.

> Ranks sixth among all active FBS kickers (seventh among all players) with 313 career points, fourth with 169 career PAT, and 13th with 48 career field goals.

NOEL DESCRIBES HIS MENTAL APPROACH TO KICKING:

"The mental side of kicking is the most important thing there is. Honestly, I struggled with that early on in my college career. 

"I think turned a corner once I started looking into the mental aspect of things and embracing my role. When I was younger, I would get nervous and my stomach would churn when we would get into field goal territory. Now I want to get on the field as much as possible. Pressure comes with the job, and the sooner kickers learn that, the more successful they will be. At the same time, it's still just kicking a ball. If you put enough work in, you should trust yourself out there."

His routine:

"As soon as we get the ball, I'll start warming up on the net, doing couple of ball-contact drills just to get the feeling back.

"The closer we get, I'll start working on my steps, making sure they are nice and smooth. And then I start working on my breathing, trying to slow down my heart rate. Basically staying in the moment, not worrying about how far the field goal will be or where we are on the field. Just staying calm."

MORE ON NOEL:

> Earned his degree from North Carolina A&T in sports management and is now pursuing a master's degree in sports administration at Georgia State. 

> Among his reasons for choosing Georgia State:
Master's program in sports administration
City of Atlanta
Proximity to his home in North Carolina so his family could see him play
Success of previous Georgia State kickers Wil Lutz and Brandon Wright, now in the NFL

> Became familiar with Atlanta while at North Carolina A&T, which played in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium the last three years.

> Like most placekickers, Ruiz began as a soccer player. He didn't focus on football until his senior year of high school.

"I was a big soccer guy growing up, and I thought I was going to play college soccer. I first got into football in eighth grade, but I didn't take it that seriously.

"Going into my senior year, I just had a gut feeling that if I put all my time into football, I could really do something with it. I honestly fell in love with it then.

> He still enjoys soccer and says his favorite pro team is Chelsea in the English Premier League. Also enjoys watching Georgia State soccer but says he couldn't do all that running anymore.

Our weekly 'Behind the Mask' segment is presented by Ford. Visit buyfordnow.com to learn more.


 
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Players Mentioned

Brandon Wright

#93 Brandon Wright

PK-P
5' 10"
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Players Mentioned

Brandon Wright

#93 Brandon Wright

5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
PK-P