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As Purdue continues to look for a kicker to replace Paul Griggs we feature another one of his potential replacements today.
Brian Bravo - Fr. (RS)
North Aurora, IL (Joliet Catholic)
6'2", 180 pounds
Kicker
2016 Projection: Reserve at Kicker
It is a bit of a surprise that Bravo did not play last year when Griggs was struggling. Bravo comes from the same HS as Mike Alstott and was a four-year kicker there. Kohls Kicking Camps rated him as a five-star kicker and one of the best kicking prospects in all of the Midwest. As a junior he was 57 of 58 on extra points. His senior year was excellent, as he was 41 of 43 on PATs, 10 of 11 on field goals, and hit a 53-yard attempt. His profile is still active on the Kohls site as well.
While J.D. Dellinger is expected to get the placekicking job, don't be surprised if Bravo becomes the kickoff specialist according to this article:
He also is adept at driving kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and pooch kicking to a designated location when that strategy is needed or dictated by conditions.
Unfortunately, Bravo struggled a little this spring with a chance to seize the job. He missed a 35-yard attempt in the spring game but did hit his lone PAT attempt. In the kick scrimmage, which was held with 50 mph swirling winds, he was 2 of 4 hitting from 32 yards.
Bravo appears to be the top challenger to Dellinger heading into the fall, so he could see some playing time.