On a day that Colorado’s former kicker transferred to a rival, the Buffaloes added a kicker from another rival.
Former Arizona State kicker Jace Feely announced on Friday that he has committed to CU after two seasons with the Sun Devils.
Earlier on Friday, former CU kicker Cole Becker announced that he will transfer to Utah.
Feely is the second scholarship kicker added by new head coach Deion Sanders this offseason. Alejandro Mata, who kicked for Sanders at Jackson State this past season, is coming to CU, as well.
The son of former NFL kicker Jay Feely, Jace is excited for a fresh start after two seasons as a backup with the Sun Devils. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
“I’m pumped. I can’t wait to get up there,” said Feely, who will arrive in Boulder next week. “I just can’t wait to be included in that (new excitement at CU under Sanders) and do my part.”
After redshirting in 2021, Feely, who is from Gilbert, Ariz., was a backup to freshman Carter Brown this past season. Feely made his only extra point attempt, kicked off four times (with two touchbacks) and also punted once for 37 yards. In his high school career, he was 16-of-22 on field goals with a long of 52 yards.
“(ASU) was definitely a great learning period of how college football works,” he said. “I worked my butt off there for about two and a half years and I felt like I put in all that I could there and it was time for me to move on at the end of the season.”
Feely will have some familiarity with Folsom Field. ASU beat the Buffs, 42-34, on Oct. 29 in Boulder. The 6-foot, 215-pounder said he was hitting field goals from 65 yards during pregame warm-ups that day.
Becker handled CU’s kicking duties the past two seasons, going 25-of-33 on field goals, and kicked off this past season. Now, Feely and Mata will compete for those roles.
“I love competition,” Feely said. “I think it’s such a strong bond that kickers and special teams units have together and I can’t wait to meet the guys and meet my competition.”
Feely doesn’t consider himself as just a kicker, however. He actually played linebacker at Gilbert Christian (Ariz.) High School and compiled 66 tackles, six sacks, seven caused fumbles and five fumble recoveries in only seven games as a senior in 2020.
“I love to go hit and I feel like I can bring a little bit more than just an average kicker would,” he said. “I’m just an athlete that can kick.”
Feely learned how to kick from his father, who played in the NFL from 2001-14 for six teams. Jay Feely ranks 28th in NFL history with 332 made field goals and 30th with 1,451 career points scored.
“Everything that I know has been through him,” Jace said. “He’s done a great job raising me and not forcing me into it, letting me develop on my own and find a love for the sport and a love for kicking. He’s been there every step of the way, offering his knowledge and experience and his hardships when I go through them and being in my corner.”
Jace is eager to create some great moments for himself, but fondly remembers his father’s best game. In 2010, Jay scored 22 points – including a 5-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal and a 55-yard field goal – in the Arizona Cardinals’ 43-13 rout of the Denver Broncos.
“After that game, the biggest game of his life, he comes and grabs me out of the stands and I run on the field with him and into the locker room,” Jace said. “That was special and something I’ll never forget.”
