There was just three kickers selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, all in the fourth round, but Ben Sauls has the leg to do so — and he will have the opportunity.
Sauls accepted an invite to the 2025 Shrine Bowl in Arlington, Tx., joining teammate Konata Mumpfield, who accepted his invite earlier this week.
Bub Means, M.J. Devonshire and Matt Goncalves attended the Shrine Bowl earlier this year, and all three were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sauls and Mumpfield will look to continue the trend.
Sauls was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which is given annually to the best place-kicker in college football, and he earned third-team All-ACC honors. There is certainly an argument to be made that he was underrated by the national media.
Sauls is the highest-rated kicker in college football by PFF. He’s drilled 18-of-21 field goal attempts (with a long of 58 yards) and all 41 of his point-after attempts — with a team-high 95 points.
He tied a program record with his 58-yarder against Cal in October, which was the longest field goal by a Pitt kicker at Acrisure Stadium. And with a 49-yarder against Syracuse later that month, he set the record for the most consecutive made field goals in program history.
Sauls has showed off the leg strength this season, connecting on all four of his attempts of at least 50 yards.
“He’s the best one I’ve ever been around,” Narduzzi said after the win against Syracuse. “I would imagine he’d be up for the Lou Groza. They should just give it to him mid-season. He’s automatic from 57, 58. Doesn’t matter where you put him. He’s been outstanding this entire season.”
Ben Sauls has connected on 48-of-60 field goal attempts (80%), and he’s taken his game to new heights this season. He should be firmly on the NFL radar following the season.
The Shrine Bowl will be an excellent chance for Sauls to get on NFL radar as a potential draft pick. He’s very likely to receive a shot in the NFL with his professional mindset and rocket leg, but the question now is whether he’ll hear his name called in the draft.
The 2025 Shrine Bowl will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, on Jan. 30, 2025.
