Lincoln-Way Central Graduate Wieclaw Making Most of Opportunity to Kick Football for Miami Hurricanes

After successfully kicking his first collegiate field goal Sept. 5 against Maryland, University of Miami junior placekicker Jake Wieclaw couldn’t help but think about his first attempt at Lincoln-Way Central.

Wieclaw booted a pressure-packed 30-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 24-23 lead with 4:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Maryland, however, scored nine points in the final 1:39 to pull out a 32-24 victory and spoil Wieclaw’s heroic moment.

“Believe it or not, it reminded me of high school,” said the 2007 graduate. “My second game ever as a freshman we were in a similar situation. We were in field-goal range and they sent me out there with a minute to go. I made the kick, but Andrew ended up throwing a deep pass for a touchdown and we lost.”

Wieclaw would’ve loved for his first kick to be the game-winner, but he’s grateful finally to be the starter.

He’s made all four of his field-goal attempts this season and is also 15-for-15 on extra-point conversions for the Hurricanes, who are currently 2-2.

“I personally love the pressure,” said Wieclaw, who also handles kickoffs. “There was a lot of pressure with my first field goal, and it was very special being out there trying to make the kick for my team. Given the circumstances, knowing I was able to pull through in that situation was a pretty big deal.

"I plan on being 100 percent on my field goals. I don’t want any goof ups. With how much work I’ve put in, everything should be perfect. It’s kind of an expectation.”

Wieclaw’s parents, Scott and Theresa, were in attendance for their son’s debut.

“Honestly, I think I held my breath for about five minutes,” Theresa Wieclaw said. “It was a relief when he made it.”

“I was just hoping he wasn’t as nervous as I was,” Scott Wieclaw said. “The last couple years we’d snap pictures of him on the sideline, but now it’s a lot more nerve-racking seeing him out on the field.”

History-Making Kicker

Making field goals is nothing new for Wieclaw, who was also a standout receiver in high school.

As a four-year starter for the Knights, he set an Illinois record for most career field goals (48), including a state-record 19 field goals in 2006, and finished just two shy of the national record.

Wieclaw’s high school career and pursuit of the record ended prematurely when he broke his ankle during a freak accident at home with some of his friends.

“It was tough,” Wieclaw said of falling shy of the national record. “To be that close and fall short because of something off the field wasn’t easy. I realize there’s nothing I can do about it and everything happens for a reason. I feel like having that happen to me is a big reason why I’m at Miami today.”

Warm Weather Very Alluring

Wieclaw was heavily recruited out of high school, with Illinois and a number of Big Ten teams interested, before he chose Miami.

 “I took my official visit in December,” Wieclaw said. “I left with a foot of snow on the ground and got to Miami and was wearing shorts and sandals. That’s a big reason I made the decision I did.”

Wieclaw redshirted as a true freshman and participated on the scout team his first two seasons before backing up Matt Bosher last season.

Bosher was drafted in the sixth round of last year’s NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

“It was difficult waiting for my chance, but there’s not much you can do when you have an NFL player in front of you,” Wieclaw said. “At the same time, it helped because I was able to see what kicking was like in some of the hostile ACC environments. I was obviously excited being named the starter, but at the same time, I knew it was my time.”

Wieclaw would like to follow his former teammate into the NFL, but a professional career is the last thing on his mind.

“Obviously, it would be nice, but I’ll cross that bridge when it comes up,” Wieclaw said. “It’s a tough thing to do, especially for a kicker. There are only 32 in the league. If the opportunity presents itself, it’s something I’ve dreamed about, but at the same times, it’s something to think about for the future.”

COMING THURSDAY: Log on at 6 a.m. Thursday and you'll learn Jake Wieclaw was kicking up a storm at an early age. Find out how his career as a placekicker was launched.