Ruiz, played in all 13 games for the Sun Devils in 2017, handling kickoff and field goal duties for the Sun Devil special teams. He made an instant impact on the Sun Devil squad with a 52-yard field goal in the season opener, his first career field goal that made him the first Sun Devil to have their first career make go for 50 or more yards.
Ruiz finished second among all freshmen kickers in the country with 19 field goals made last season, his 1.46 field goals made per game last season ranked 23rd nationally.
Accomplishments of all place kickers are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, November 1st. From this list, a panel of more than 300 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers select the top three finalists for the award by Tuesday, November 20th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 6th during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
The 27th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, will recognize three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at West Palm Beach's Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on December 3rd.
The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland, and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Ruiz will look to become Arizona State's third Lou Groza Award winner, following Zane Gonzalez who earned the award in 2016, and Thomas Weber who claimed the trophy in 2007.