93% Accuracy Kicker Joins Major Big 12 Program After Hitting College Football Transfer Portal

This year’s UCF team is renewed with hope and spirit, courtesy of new HC Scott Frost. He will be taking charge of a program that was struggling last year and hopefully take it to new heights. However, he was handed a rickety team, which still saw people leaving camp after his hiring. But he has instilled a fresh culture in the Knights, as they wrapped up their spring practice earlier in the week. Now, with a new recruit on board, it looks like Frost is set to break the ice at Orlando.

Frost has already seen QB Dylan Rizk, Waltclaire Finn Jr., and others enter the portal. The HC has only taken control for a few months, based on which these players have taken their next steps. Currently, UCF sits at No. 34 in the transfer portal team rankings. Additions from the current cycle include Michigan’s Aymeric Koumba, and Tennessee State’s Connor Meadows. Frost has acquired a unique and attractive talent for his specialist department.

Joining Orlando for this season is Noe Ruelas, the star kicker from James Madison. Ruelas has had an impressive 93% efficiency during his time at JMU. “[He was] 16 of 20 on field goals at JMU last season, including 14 of 15 on attempts of 49 or less,” wrote Matt Zenitz on X. Interestingly. Ruelas has jumped ship after appearing for JMU’s spring games, where he performed well. He managed to hit all his field goals, a role he was particularly assigned in the last season.

James Madison kicker transfer Noe Ruelas has signed with UCF, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247sports.

Was 16 of 20 on field goals at JMU last season, including 14 of 15 on attempts of 49 or less.https://t.co/10Sz3YwNKg pic.twitter.com/S9zlKhi8b7

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 21, 2025

However, his addition brings the total number of kickers on the team to 3. That’s not a number you usually see for this room. Grant Reddick appeared in 9 games last season and made 239 yards from 4 kickoffs. He has a field goal percentage of 66.7%. There’s also new transfer Kevin Carrigan, who only made 2 field goals last season and has the same percentage.

Ruelas, on the other hand, is seasoned. He was successful in 16 of his 20 attempted field goals, bringing his percentage to an impressive 80%. He will be joining freshman Noah McGough, presumably leading a very young group of kickers. It’ll be interesting to see how Frost divvies up the work for this room based on the varied levels of experience and skills its members have.

What we know about Noe Ruelas’ career

Ruelas spent only one season at James Madison and was at UConn for three seasons before that stint. He had a great season in 2022, landing 12 of 16 attempted field goals. His career record of a 54-yarder came during that year as well. And given his 2024 numbers, it’s easy to say Ruelas is upping the standards of UCF’s kickers by a huge leap.

Ruelas was pursuing his Master of Science in Sports and Recreation Leadership at JMU. He has an undergraduate degree in business administration and management from UConn. Interestingly, his LinkedIn bio mentions he also has some restaurant industry experience up his sleeve.

Scott Frost has added a serious advantage to his kickers’ room with Ruelas. He’s experienced, shows consistency, and has numbers that hold promise for his last year of eligibility. His addition does bring in more competition for the starter position, and there’s a good chance Ruelas can win that spot with his cards.

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