Purdue Football: Boilers add UCLA kicker from portal

Purdue football coach Ryan Walters reached into the transfer portal and added another player Tuesday.

Former UCLA kicker RJ Lopez took to social media to announce his commitment to Purdue after announcing his intent to enter the portal in December. He is the 16th addition to Purdue football through the portal and the second player from UCLA, joining wide receiver Kam Brown.

Lopez played in 26 games with UCLA, and quickly made a name for himself. In 2022, Lopez notched touchbacks on over 60 percent of his kicks. This past season, he was 6-of-11 for field goals and was 31-of-32 on point after attempts.

Purdue football was a dismal 8-of-17 in the field goal department last year. Lopez joins a kicking room that features freshman Spencer Porath, who played at in-state Brownsburg and returner Ben Freehill. Last season, Freehill was 6-of-11 on field goal attempts and returns for a sixth season.

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