Ravens Projected to Replace Justin Tucker With Pitt Star

PITTSBURGH — The Baltimore Ravens will likely look for a new kicker in the near future and one Pitt Panthers specialist could fill that void for next season.

Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network released his seven-round mock draft and has the Ravens taking Pitt placekicker Ben Sauls in the seventh round and the No. 245 overall pick.

Ravens five-time First Team All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker had a poor 2024 campaign, making 22-of-30 field goals for a career-low, 73.3%.

Tucker also now has 16 massage therapists accusing him of sexually inappropriate behavior, according to the latest report from the Baltimore Banner. Tucker has denied any wrongdoing amongst these allegations.

Sauls had a fantastic 2024 season, going 44-for-44 on PATs and 21-for-24 on field goals, with one blocked. He made his first 13 attempts, before missing a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter of the 48-25 loss to then ranked No. 20 SMU on the road in Week 10.

He also made six 50+ yard field goals, with the 57-yarder he made at the end of the first half in the road loss to Boston College in Week 14 marking the most in a season for a field goal kicker.

His 49-yard field goal in the first quarter for Syracuse in Week 9 was his 13th straight field goal dating back to 2023, which set a new school record for most consecutive field goals. This eclipsed the previous record of 12, that both Chris Ferenick in 1995 and Conor Lee in 2007 set, and he had 15 consecutive he made before that miss vs. SMU.

Sauls also made a 58-yard field goal vs. Cal in their Week 7 matchup on Oct. 12 at Acrisure Stadium, that tied former Pitt kicker Alex Kessman's 58-yarder he converted against Boston College in 2020 to send the game into overtime. It is also the longest field goal at Acrisure Stadium in Pitt history, as Chris Boswell of the Pittsburgh Steelers made one from 59 yards there.

His best game of the season came against Cincinnati in the River City Rivalry on the road in Week 2, for which he earned ACC Specialist of the Week and Lou Groza Star of the Week honors.

Sauls finished the day 3-for-3 on field goals, including the only points in the second half from 47 yards and a career-high of 53 yards at the end of the first half. He would also hit the game winning field goal from 35 yards out in front of his friends and family, as he grew up 65 miles north of Cincinnati.

His six field goals of 50 yards or more in 2024 was the most in program history, which included a 57-yarder in the 48-46 loss to Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Sauls has had some great moments is most famous for his heroics against UCLA in the 2022 Sun Bowl. Against the Bruins, Sauls went 5-of-5 in the El Paso, Texas wind. He made kicks from 22, 49, 31, 27 and 47 yards against UCLA. Sauls made the 47-yard field goal as time dwindled down to seal the Sun Bowl victory for the Panthers.

He was also just the third Panther to earn a Lou Groza Semifinalist honor, along with Kessman in 2020 and Ferencik, who was a finalist for the 1995 award.

Sauls earned PFF All-American honors and All-ACC Third Team honors for his play in 2024 .He finished his Pitt career going 52-of-64 on field goals, 81.3%, and 122-of-124 on PATs.

Sauls did have an extra year of eligibility, but he chose to walk on Senior Day and is now eyeing a chance to play in the NFL.

He represented Pitt, along with seniors in wide receiver Konata Mumpfield and defensive back Donovan McMillon, at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Sauls will also represent Pitt at the NFL Combine, along with tight end Gavin Bartholomew, offensive tackle Branson Taylor and Mumpfield.

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