Through a post on Instagram earlier this week, former UNC kicker Noah Ruggles announced he has accepted a scholarship offer to take over the kicking position at Ohio State.

Ruggles will join the Buckeyes as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining — filling a desperate need on special teams for one of college football’s elite national powerhouse programs.

After redshirting in 2017, Ruggles made his first appearance for the Tar Heels in 2018 with a pair of successful extra points in a late-season win over Western Carolina.

He took over the starting job for the 2019 season and converted 19 of his 27 field goal attempts with his longest make coming from 49 yards. He also connected on all 45 of his extra point attempts that season.

In 2020, Ruggles lost the job to Furman transfer Grayson Atkins — a former FCS All-American who is returning to UNC this season for his final year of eligibility.

Ruggles’ only attempt of 2020 was a successful extra point against Western Carolina, giving him a season similar to the one he had in 2018 as a redshirt freshman.

Ohio State used three different kickers in 2020. Blake Haubeil, Dominic DiMaccio and Jake Seibert combined to go 7-for-11 on field goal attempts. Only two of those makes — both from Haubeil — came from beyond 40 yards, with the longest being from 43 yards.

 

 


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