2024 NFL Draft Profile: UNLV Kicker Jose Pizano

After being a major contributor to UNLV's best season in decades, kicker Jose Pizano now has the opportunity to make a pro roster, in the NFL or otherwise.

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After being a major contributor to UNLV's best season in decades, kicker Jose Pizano now has the opportunity to make a pro roster, in the NFL or otherwise. 

Pizano's path as a kicker started as a soccer player, but eventually he became a standout in JUCO ball, then in the FCS at Missouri State, then in the FBS at UNLV. This season saw him reach finalist status for the Lou Groza Award, just missing out to Miami (OH)'s Graham Nicholson.

Here's what to know about the Lehi, Utah product in the buildup to April's NFL Draft. 

RELATED: 2024 NFL Draft Profile: FIU LB Donovan Manuel

Background

Measurements: 5' 9", 220 pounds

Pizano didn't play high school football until his senior year, focusing mainly on soccer. He then played soccer for a season at Snow College in Utah, then switched to football in 2019. He made all 28 of his extra points and converted nine of 12 field goal tries in his one season of JUCO football.

Pizano then transferred to Missouri State, where he was named a second-team FCS All-American by the AP. He converted 21-of-24 (.875) field goals and 46-of-47 (.979) extra points in 2021. In 2022, he went 35-of-35 extra points and 12-of-16 field goals .

Following that season, he jumped to UNLV for Barry Odom's first year as the head coach of the Rebels. Pizano made all 55 of his extra point attempts this season, along with 26 of 29 field goal attempts. He broke the UNLV record with six makes in the Rebels' homecoming win over Colorado State. He did not miss a kick inside of 40 yards and made two longer than 50 yards. Pizano was a consensus All-American in 2023.

The Strengths

Pizano is a model of consistency. He once had a streak of 69 made extra points. That kind of dependability just isn't that common amongst college kickers. 

In part because they had Pizano to fall back on, UNLV had a top ten red zone offense in 2023. The Rebels scored on 54 of 58 trips inside their opponents' twenty-yard line, with 16 of those scores being field goals.

Pizano simply gets you points when you really need points. He averaged 9.5 points per game, leading the Rebels to their highest win total (nine) since 1984.

What’s Next

Roughly two kickers get drafted per yer. ESPN's Mel Kiper has him as one of the ten best kicking specialists this season. With this draft class, Pizano has a higher chance than most, but an opportunity to make a team outside of the draft seems more likely.