This Latino Kicker Is So Good, An NFL Team Made An Unusual Move Just To Get Him

Omar Villegas - 05/03/16 - #mitúWORLD

Meet Roberto Aguayo. He’s the dude in the middle. In case you’re wondering why he’s flanked by two big football players…

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

It’s because they’re teammates. Well, they were teammates. For the past three years, Aguayo was a kicker for Florida State University.

Last year's success is today's expectation.

A photo posted by Roberto Aguayo (@robertoaguayo) on

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

And he was just drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Welcome to Tampa Bay, Roberto Aguayo! #BucsDraft #SiegetheDay #BOOM

A photo posted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@tbbuccaneers) on

Credit: @tbbuccaneers / Instagram

Most NFL teams don’t draft kickers in the second round. But Aguayo was too good to pass up.

How good was he in college?

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

REALLY GOOD. Over his career, Aguayo was perfect (49 out of 49) for field goals inside 40 yards. Oh, and he also made all 198 of his extra point kicks.

Credit: @PROcast / Twitter

Basically, Aguayo is the most accurate kicker in college football history.

He’s pretty good at paper football, too.

aguayo-paper-football
Credit: ACC Digital Network / YouTube

That’s Aguayo having a little fun with ACC Digital Network reporter Jeff Fischel, who challenged the young kicker to a game of paper football. Aguayo’s first “kick” was straight up the middle and hit Fischel between his eyes. How’s that for aim?

Aguayo credits his father, an immigrant from Mexico, for helping him become a beast at kicking.

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

Aguayo, who excelled at soccer and football, says his father built an H-shaped goal in their backyard that served as both a soccer goal and a football goal post. Once Aguayo decided to focus strictly on football, he was able to practice his kicking at home.

The 21-year-old kicker cites his father’s work ethic as an inspiration.

Throwback to my early goon days! Mean muggin since day one lol

A photo posted by Roberto Aguayo (@robertoaguayo) on

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

Aguayo’s father grew up on a ranch near Leon, Guanajuato, in Mexico and decided to move to the U.S. when he was 18. He eventually settled in Florida. His goal, like many immigrants, was to make enough money to support himself and send money back to his family.

Although his father put in long hours at a tree farm, Aguayo told ESPN that his father still made time for him on days off: “I just wanted to hang by the pool with my friends, but he’d wake us up early, at 6 o’clock. He’s out in the sun all day [at work], so I’m surprised he had the energy, and that motivated me. When people ask me how I have such a strong leg and this ability, I go back to those days.”

Aguayo also told Sports Illustrated he respects his father for making tough sacrifices.

La Familia has arrived in Cali, getting closer and closer to the biggest game of my career!

A photo posted by Roberto Aguayo (@robertoaguayo) on

 

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

“He came over illegally, and there are a lot of people who do that, but they do that for a better life. There was no money over there. My uncle [living in Mexico] will work and make about $10 a day, and that’s not enough to support the family. My dad wanted to have something better for my family.”

Soon, Aguayo will be reunited with former FSU teammate Jameis Winston, who is the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay.

Credit: @robertoaguayo / Instagram

What will Florida State do to replace their star kicker? They’ve already recruited Roberto’s younger brother, Ricky.

Credit: @FSU_Football / Twitter

READ: Meet The 21-Year-Old Pitcher From Mexico Who Is Already Becoming A Baseball Star

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