The San Francisco 49ers are adding a new name to their upcoming rookie minicamp: Kenneth Almendares, the 2024 Lou Groza Award winner, given annually to the best kicker in college football.
This move, first reported by David Lombardi, immediately raises an intriguing question: Is Almendares being brought in as serious competition for Jake Moody, or is this merely a standard depth evaluation?
Given the 49ers' kicking struggles, the answer may not be simple.
Is Almendares Serious Competition for Jake Moody?
Jake Moody, a third-round draft pick in 2023, was widely expected to lock down the 49ers' kicking position for years to come. In his rookie season, Moody showed promise.
However, inconsistencies began to creep in last season, particularly during critical stretches after he returned from a high-ankle sprain suffered during a kickoff return in week five against the Arizona Cardinals.
Moody finished the 2024 regular season with a 70.6% field goal percentage, ranking him 32nd among NFL kickers. While he remained solid on extra points (97.0% success rate), he notably missed two field goals and an extra point during the loss to the Detroit Lions, fueling significant concern inside and outside the organization.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was noncommittal when asked about Moody's future, stating, "We're evaluating all positions." That open-ended evaluation and the Almendares invite strongly suggest that the 49ers are not merely offering a ceremonial opportunity. They are seriously considering alternatives if Moody cannot rebound.
In short, yes, Almendares' presence should absolutely be seen as direct competition.
Stat Comparison: Almendares vs. Moody
Let's compare the two kickers more closely, both in terms of college production and accolades.
Kenneth Almendares (Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns)
- 2024 Season:
- Field Goals: 28-of-31 (90.3%)
- Extra Points: 97.9% made
- Longest Field Goal: 53 yards
- Career Highlights:
- Led the FBS in total field goals made and accuracy among kickers with over 20 attempts.
- Named a First-Team All-American.
- Winner of the Lou Groza Award (2024).
- Set school and Sun Belt Conference records for single-season field goals made.
Jake Moody (Michigan Wolverines)
- 2021 Season (Lou Groza Award Year):
- Field Goals: 23-of-25 (92.0%)
- Extra Points: 100% (56-of-56)
- 2022 Season (Final College Season):
- Field Goals: 29-of-35 (82.9%)
- Extra Points: 100% (60-of-60)
- Career Highlights:
- Two-time Big Ten Kicker of the Year.
- Michigan's all-time points leader.
- Longest field goal: 59 yards.
How Do They Stack Up Against Other Great College Kickers?
Both Almendares and Moody boast resumes that stack up against some of the best college kickers of the last decade. A field goal percentage above 90% is elite territory. For reference:
- Roberto Aguayo (Florida State) —considered one of the best college kickers ever — had an 88.5% career field goal rate.
- Will Reichard (Alabama) — another recent college star, now with the Minnesota Vikings — finished his college career at 84.0%.
In that context, Almendares' 90.3% single-season clip is exceptional, even among Lou Groza Award winners. Jake Moody's 92.0% in 2021 was similarly elite, and even better, but Almendares arguably has the slight edge in pure statistical performance coming out of college.
What Are Almendares' Realistic Chances of Making the Team?
Let's be clear: Almendares is coming in on a tryout basis, not even on a futures contract — a long shot to begin with. However, kicking battles are notoriously volatile in the NFL.
Performance in training camp, joint practices, and preseason games often decides these competitions, not draft pedigree.
Factors working against Almendares:- As a third-round pick, Moody represents significant draft capital — the 49ers may hesitate to move on quickly.
- Almendares faces a major jump in competition, transitioning from the Sun Belt to NFL-level pressure.
- This is just a rookie minicamp invite, not a guaranteed contract.
- Moody's struggles have already shaken confidence internally.
- Almendares' accuracy and consistency, particularly on shorter and intermediate kicks, could impress quickly.
- New Special Teams coaches and management may prioritize current performance over past investment, especially building a team to win now.
What is the most realistic path for Almendares? Land on the 90-man training camp roster and force a kicking competition through superior performance. Even if he doesn't immediately beat Moody, a strong preseason could position Almendares for a practice squad role — or even attract interest from other NFL teams needing kicking help.
Final Thoughts
Bringing Kenneth Almendares to the rookie minicamp isn't just a feel-good story or a depth move. It's a calculated decision by the 49ers to create real pressure on Jake Moody after an up-and-down second season.
Almendares' college credentials are legitimate, his accuracy is elite, and if he shows the same reliability at the professional level, the 49ers may find themselves with a challenging — but necessary — decision at kicker.
Whether Almendares can beat out Moody or not, one thing is certain: Jake Moody is officially on notice.