Latest news with #SpencerShrader
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Spencer Shrader, Maddux Trujillo in 'open competition' for Colts' kicker job
Spencer Shrader, Maddux Trujillo in 'open competition' for Colts' kicker job As Colts' special teams coordinator Brian Mason mentioned on Wednesday, kickers Spencer Shrader and Maddux Trujillo are in an "open competition." Spencer Shrader may be the favorite to be the Indianapolis Colts' kicker for the 2025 season, but as special teams coordinator Brian Mason said on Wednesday, this is still an open competition. 'Spencer certainly has a little bit of a step up in that," said Mason, via 107.5 The Fan. "He's already been in the league, already been here, but it is definitely an open competition. That's how I view it." Competing with Shrader is undrafted rookie Maddux Trujillo. This past season at Temple, Trujillo made all 21 extra point attempts and he was 16-for-22 overall, which included going 5-for-5 from 40-49 yards and 5-of-8 from 50-plus, per PFF. 'We think (Trujillo is) very similar to what Spencer was last year,' special teams coordinator Mason said earlier this offseason via the Indy Star. 'Maybe, statistically, wasn't what you'd think you'd be looking for from a college standpoint, less than an 80% kicker. … But you can see a lot of guys — even Harrison Butker was less than 80% in college — if they have the talent and mental makeup, be able to take the next step.' Shrader, meanwhile, joined the Colts last offseason as an undrafted rookie as well. He would spend the summer with team and was their kicker in Week 1 while Matt Gay was sidelined. Through the first half of the 2024 season, Shrader was on and off the Colts' practice squad before briefly catching on with Kansas City and the New York Jets in the latter portion of the year. Appearing in four total games between his three stops, Shrader was 5-for-5 on field goals and 9-for-9 on extra points. His ability to bounce from one team to the next, while working with different holders and long-snappers, while remaining consistent, caught GM Chris Ballard's attention. "He leaves us and performs and performs at two different teams –you know how hard that is?" GM Chris Ballard said. "That's difficult now, to go to two different teams and have to perform – that is not easy. You're working with a totally different operation at both – different snapper and different holder – and to go in and be successful." So far, both kickers are off to strong starts during offseason programs. Ultimatley, consistency will determine who the Colts' kicker is come Week 1. "Both these guys are talented young kickers and we're going to end up going with whichever guy performs the best under pressure, both in training camp and joint practices," added Mason.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indianapolis Colts' 2025 UDFA profiles: Temple K Maddux Trujillo
In addition to their eight draft picks, the Indianapolis Colts have also reportedly signed a number of undrafted rookies after the 2025 NFL draft to add to their 90-man offseason roster. Just as we did with each of the eight draft selections, let's take a closer look at each of the Colts' UDFAs. Up first is Temple kicker Maddux Trujillo. Maddux Trujillo's profile Height: 6-003 Weight: 172 College profile Breaking down the Colts' UDFA signing The 2024 season was Trujillo's first at Temple. His previous three seasons before that were played at Austin Peay. Advertisement This past year, Trujillo made all 21 of his extra point attempts and he was 16-for-22 (72.7%) on field goals. This included going 5-for-5 from 40-49 yards and 5-of-8 from 50-plus. Trujillo finished his four college seasons with a 72% hit rate, and was 73.1% from 40-49 yards and 60% on 10 attempts from 50 or more yards, according to PFF. It's been common for the Colts to have two kickers on their 90-man roster. This is still Spencer Shrader's job, but the team does want to continually look for high upside players at this position. "We usually always bring in two kickers as it is," Ballard said via the team site before the draft. "We're always looking for a guy with upside, kind of like last year with Spencer (Shrader). I give our special team coaches all the credit for that. They identified Spencer last year and said, 'Look, he's got upside.' We didn't necessarily have a vision that this is how it would work out, but you never know. Advertisement "So, they do a great job finding guys with some upside. So, we'll look for a guy with some leg strength and upside, and think we can work with and see how it plays out." Maddux Trujillo's scouting report Lance Zierlein: "Long-limbed kicker with eye-catching range to make field goals. Trujillo transferred from Austin Peay and showed impressive power in his lone season at Temple. He hits the ball with consistent flight and is capable of handling kickoffs as well. He needs to prove he can be more consistent on shorter kicks, but his ability to hit from distance creates value." They said it Special teams coordinator Brian Mason via the Indy Star: 'We think (Trujillo is) very similar to what Spencer was last year,' special teams coordinator Brian Mason said. 'Maybe, statistically, wasn't what you'd think you'd be looking for from a college standpoint, less than an 80% kicker. … But you can see a lot of guys — even Harrison Butker was less than 80% in college — if they have the talent and mental makeup, be able to take the next step.' Advertisement Mason would add: "We're looking for somebody that, No. 1, is going to have a really special leg,' Mason said. 'Leg strength. What's the trajectory they're getting on their kicks? What's their ability to make 50-plus-yard field goals?' Maddux Trujillo's RAS card Maddux Trujillo makes record 64-yard field goal This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Previewing Colts' UDFA kicker Maddux Trujillo
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Super Bowl LIX has Notre Dame ties
There are plenty of Notre Dame Fighting Irish alum playing in the NFL, and at least will be playing in Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans this year. Linebacker Drue Tranquill and kicker Spencer Shrader will be playing in the game for the Chiefs. Former Irish quarterback Ian Book was briefly on the Eagles' active roster, but he's back on the practice squad. Book was a Chief briefly during the preseason. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
