Vandal kicker and punter Ricardo Chavez put his sights on the big stage at the end of the 2023-24 season. After an outstanding performance through all 13 games played this past season, Chavez bet on himself and entered the 2024 NFL draft.
Chavez, who booted in 19 field goals and 39 extra points this year, was one of the most valuable assets that the Vandals had in one of the best seasons from the team in recent memory. Chavez’s name became a popular discussion in football circles as he was the only kicker in college, and is now the only player in the draft, who doesn’t only kick powerful and accurate field goals with this right leg, but also punts the ball high and far with his left.
Chavez’s punting stats were just as impressive as his kicking stats, as he punted for 1,147 yards this season, while pinning opposing teams within their own 20-yard line nine times. Chavez’s leg booted a season-long 70-yard punt as well as seven additional punts that traveled over 50 yards in the air this season.
Chavez is a California native from the South-Central Valley in Los Angeles. Born to two Mexican-immigrant parents, Ana Viramontes and Juan Chavez, Ricardo is a first generation Mexican American whose dreams of the big leagues didn’t start with football. During his time as a teenager, Chavez was a star goalkeeper who played for Mexico’s Chivas Academy as well as the MLS’s LA Galaxy Academy.
During his time in Los Angeles, Chavez decided he wanted to try football, as his soccer career was becoming less and less of a serious opportunity for him. Chavez told his parents that he wanted to try football.
“My parents felt stung a bit,” he said. “They didn’t even know what football was.”
However, Chavez never doubted himself, “I knew what I wanted to do, so I just stuck to kicking.”
During his junior year of high school, Chavez transfered to Valley View High School, one that had already held their football tryouts and was in the end of their season. Chavez, who wouldn’t be dismayed away from a new opportunity, asked Dan Barlage, the head coach of his new school, for a chance to prove himself and join the team. The coach agreed and was impressed with Chavez’s leg enough to give him a spot on the team.
Chavez was immediately thrown into the spotlight. His first ever game of football was a championship game for his team, as the first-string kicker couldn’t attend the game. Chavez performed well in the game and showcased his skills to Dan Barlage, who was not only the head coach of the high school team, but also the offensive coordinator for the neighboring Riverside City College. Chavez would be given another opportunity to continue his journey for the junior college team.
Chavez had two record setting seasons with the RCC Tigers. He accrued the field goal length record for the Tigers at 56 yards, and then broke his own record with a 59-yarder during the CCCAA championship game. He attained All-American, All-Conference and All-California honors and lead his team in points scored with a total of 95 points, all the while Chavez would only miss four field goals and one extra point during his two years at the school.
During his time with the Tigers, the team’s season fell victim to the pandemic. With a season canceled and a year of eligibility in question, Chavez didn’t let circumstances dictate his dream. During the year, Chavez would put his nose down and “hit the field, hit the weight room and home workouts” he said. “And it paid off.”
During this time, Chavez began to teach himself how to punt and credits his years as a goalkeeper as the source of his ambidextrous talent.
“It came so natural. It wasn’t something that I really had to train for,” Chavez said. “My left foot felt the most natural, and trying it with my right felt awkward and off.”
Not long after the 2021-22 season with the RCC Tigers, Chavez began to look for opportunities to grow elsewhere. The offers from schools were dry at first, but eventually, after receiving an offer from South Dakota State University, Chavez’s phone would ring constantly, and the offers were rolling in. During a visit to North Carolina, Chavez received the facetime call that would bring him to the Palouse.
Idaho was a big adjustment for Chavez, and during a discussion about the biggest adjustment Chavez said “Idaho is cold. I had never seen real snow in my life, and I probably wore my jacket the entire semester.”
Despite the weather, Chavez continued to succeed at the University of Idaho, where he attained an All-Big-Sky second team selection, scored 189 total points, and kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime against Southern Illinois to send the Vandals to the next round of the 2023 FCS playoffs.
With eyes on the future, Chavez was selected to the National Black team for the Tropical Bowl, from which he would meet NFL scouts and head coaches, all looking for their next kicker or punter. Little would they know, there is a player from UI that can do both.
“Their eyes widen up. They’ve never seen or heard something like that before,” Chavez said, “It’s a gift from God that I can do this.”
As of today, Chavez continues to work, spending his time in Los Angeles working out, training and keeping himself ready for the 2024 NFL draft.
You can reach Jack DeWitt at and [email protected]