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Purdue adds UCLA K RJ Lopez from portal

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•02/20/24•

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(Stan Szeto/USA Today)

Purdue has added a kicker from the portal: UCLA’s RJ Lopez, a graduate transfer. He is a walk-on who has one year of eligibility. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native will arrive in West Lafayette this summer after entering the portal on December 19.

The 5-11, 185-pound Lopez is a kickoff specialist who also can kick field goals. He joins a Purdue kicking room that also includes sixth-year senior Ben Freehill and incoming freshman Spencer Porath, who will arrive this summer.

Purdue hit a national-low 47 percent (8-of-17) of its field goals in 2023. Ironically, UCLA tied Purdue for last in the nation in the category.

Hailing from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High, Lopez arrived at UCLA in 2020 and played in 26 games, making 6-of-11 field goals–all in 2023. He also hit 31-of-32 PATs last year. Last season, he booted a season-long 47-yard field goal against Coastal Carolina and also recorded seven touchbacks on his 15 kickoffs.

Lopez was the Bruins’ kickoff specialist from 2020-22. In 2022, he recorded touchbacks on 60 of his 91 kickoffs (66%). His 60 touchbacks were the most by a Pac-12 player. In 2021, Lopez recorded touchbacks on 52 of his 81 kickoffs (64%) and his 52 touchbacks tied for best in the Pac-12. In 2020, he recorded touchbacks on 25 of his 44 kickoffs (57%) and his 25 touchbacks led the Pac-12.

Lopez is the second UCLA player to join Purdue from the portal this offseason, joining WR Kam Brown. Lopez is the 16th player from the portal Purdue has added this offseason.

Lopez’s brother, Nick, kicked at Cal and Louisville and is at San Diego State now.

MORE: Purdue transfer portal tracker

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