Georgia Southern Placekicker Alex Raynor Transferring to Kentucky

Raynor will head to Lexington after making 45 field goals in three seasons at Georgia Southern.

Among other things, Kentucky had a rough time kicking the football in 2022. 

It was a mixture of poor kicks from Matt Ruffolo, bad snaps and a few blocks that led to the Wildcats having some of the worst special teams in the country, as Ruffolo was a 66-percent kicker a year ago. 

After bringing in new special teams coach Jay Boulware, a new placekicker has been added to the 2023 roster via the transfer portal, as former Georgia Southern leg Alex Raynor announced that he is transferring to Lexington on Sunday: 

New home! Go Big Blue #BBN pic.twitter.com/cMUDroCSil

— Alex Raynor (@acraynor1) May 14, 2023

The Kennesaw, Ga. native was a model of consistency a season ago, making 49 of 50 extra point attempts and 18 of 20 field goal attempts. 

From 30 yards out or further, he went 8-for-10, including four makes from 40-plus. Across three seasons at Georgia Southern, he has made 45 of 59 FG attempts. 

With Ruffolo gone, the starting placekicker job is wide open, with super senior Chance Poore and redshirt freshman Jackson Smith both also in the mix. Poore took first-team reps in the spring and was previously UK's placekicker back in 2019. 

Raynor will bring another veteran edge to the special teams unit as he competes for the starting gig in the fall ahead of the 2023 campaign. He is now the 12th addition to the UK roster via the portal.

Observations from Kentucky's final open spring practice HERE.

Safety Zion Childress is emerging as a leader on the UK defense

Kentucky landed a 4-star defensive lineman on National Signing Day. More HERE.

WATCH: Kentucky football's transfer portal signees speak to the media

Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.

Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.