TEMPE — Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham sees a bright future for ASU kicker Jesus Gomez.
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September 17, 2022; Tempe, Arizona; USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles kicker Jesus Gomez (35) makes a kick against Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman Anthonie Cooper (96) during a game at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-Imagn Images
Gomez, born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, has been training with the team over the last several weeks to prepare for the upcoming 2025 season. The ASU senior transferred from Eastern Michigan, where he scored 87 points and had an 80 percent field-goal accuracy.
“[Gomez is] kicking,” Dillingham said to the press during practice on Aug. 7, according to 12 Sports’ Jake GarcÃa. “… I have a lot of confidence he’s making it. Is he gonna miss some kicks? Yeah, but you know what, he’s gonna miss them good.”
Oct 5, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Last season, ASU struggled to find a kicker. After a game on Oct. 19, 2024, Dillingham was at his limit after Arizona State’s kicker missed two key field goals.
“Our kicking game’s atrocious,” Dillingham said after the game, according to ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura. “So, if you can kick and you’re at Arizona State, email me. We’re going to have kicking tryouts on Monday, so bring it on.”
Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham stands on the sidelines during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Gomez could be the kicker ASU has been looking for. Before football, the ASU senior played soccer until he eventually transitioned.
“Just felt like soccer wasn’t the sport for me anymore and I wasn’t having fun,” Gomez said to GarcÃa. “I just thought, ‘Why not football?'” And then I realized I had potential. That’s when I started to focus more on kicking.”
Jesús Gómez hit a 55-yarder today at Camp T.
We got it on camera.
Gomez was born and raised on Puebla, Mexico. Grew up playing soccer, but quit when he fell in love with American football.
Kenny Dillingham is a fan.@12SportsAZ pic.twitter.com/VOhAzCg1I1
— Jake GarcÃa (@Jake_M_Garcia) August 7, 2025
The Sun Devils hope that Gomez can bring stability to a position that has plagued Arizona State.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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