Pirates Find Thier Leg in Rui
September 30, 2020 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Massachusetts Pirates News Release
WORCESTER, MASS. - The Massachusetts Pirates have announced the signing of kicker Gabriel Rui, who last played for the University of Kansas in 2018. He spent two years as their primary kicker and connected on 29 of 37 field goal attempts. His career long was from 54 yards. With the Jayhawks, Rui was named All Big-12 twice and finished with the best field goal conversion percentage in school history. When being asked about joining the Pirates and adjusting to football indoors, Rui believes he will find consistency quickly. "It's going to take some adjusting but I'll be just fine after about a day or two of knowing what my targets are! I'm grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to getting started."
Pirates Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Snay is excited to get Rui acclimated to the indoor game. "He's going to be a great fit here. One of the highest regarded kickers in the Big-12, his accuracy and leg speaks for itself. I'm thrilled that he signed and that I get to work with him on his indoor career."
Jawad Yatim, Pirates President and General Manager, believes Rui has the tools to be successful for Massachusetts. "A reliable kicker is a necessity indoors or outside and we hope Gabriel can come in and do what we expect of him. One thing that popped out to me was his accuracy, and to me that's the most imperative trait that I look for in a kicker especially playing indoors. The kid never missed an extra point, going 51-51 and connected on 12 of 15 field goal attempts from 40 yards and beyond while at KU. He's a talented individual in my opinion and glad to have him a part of our organization."
Rui started his college career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Oklahoma. He spent his freshman and sophomore years there before transferring to the University of Kansas. A native of Hinton, Oklahoma, he was also invited to the Kansas City Chiefs' rookie minicamp in May 2019.
Indoor Football League Stories from September 30, 2020
- Receivers Douglas and Brania-Hopp Signed by Arizona - Arizona Rattlers
- Khalil Young Joins Sugar Skulls' Defensive Line - Tucson Sugar Skulls
- Pirates Add Yarbary to Defensive Front - Massachusetts Pirates
- Pirates Find Thier Leg in Rui - Massachusetts Pirates
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
