Miami’s Andres Borregales ready to kick in cold

Kicking is a family tradition for Andres Borregales, and the University of Miami star is determined to carry it into the NFL.

Andres Borregales is following the footsteps of his older brother Jose Borregales, a 2020 All-American who was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad. 

Andres Borregales began his college career at Miami in 2021 after his brother finished his stellar career as a senior transfer with the Hurricanes in 2021. The younger Borregales was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round (182nd overall). 

Andres Borregales was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in Miami. He was the second of four Latinos selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Borregales was also one of five Hurricanes selected in the NFL Draft.

He hopes to become the fourth Venezuela native to play in the NFL. Andres Borregales was 18 for 19 on field goal attempts as a senior and made all 62 extra points with a 94.7% success rate and a career-high long of 56 yards.

’Excited’

“I’m excited,” he said. “All my life, I looked up to (former Patriots kicker) Adam Vinatieri, a legend, honestly. Especially all those kicks in the snow and clutch kicks in the snow, actually.”

Considering his Venezuelan roots and time living in Miami’s sunshine, Borregales knows that some wonder if he can kick in New England’s cold winter weather.

He addressed those concerns and said he’s excited to experience New England’s winter.

“I know a lot of people thought that, obviously being from Miami, I can’t handle the cold,” he said. “I think I can prove people wrong about that.”

Borregales was the second of three Latinos from the University of Miami to hear their name called during the NFL Draft.

Mexican American Elijah Arroyo, who learned to play football in Cancun at 6 years old, was the first Latino selected. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the second round (50th overall).

Arroyo could be the missing piece at tight end for the Seahawks. He can stretch the field. Arroyo makes it difficult for defenders while running routes like a wide receiver. 

The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has size and speed. He can catch the ball. Last year he had an impressive low ball drop rating of 2.1%.

The Frisco, Texas, native is known for creating separation. His skills make him a natural fit for a system that wants to use their tight ends to create mismatches in the passing game.

Elijah Arroyo ready to create mismatches

“I lined up everywhere throughout my college career,” Arroyo said to the media. “Really, everywhere on the field. I feel like that’s where I thrive, just being able to spread out and create mismatches.”

The Commanders drafted UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano  in the sixth round (205th overall). Medrano made 72 tackles (50 solo) with 11 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks with three forced fumbles as a senior in 2024. 

With a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds, Medrano was the fastest linebacker at the NFL combine. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder can be used in nickel and dime roles to cover slot receivers, tight ends and running backs.

“Being able to kind of stay in a 4-3 defense and not go to a nickel or 4-2-5 and be able to stick with those running backs and those tight ends and some of them slots.” Medrano said to the media. “I think it gives the team a better opportunity to have three linebackers on the field and not feel like we kind of take a dip and go into a traditional base type of thing.”

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Running back Damien Martinez returns to the Pacific Northwest and reunites with Arroyo. Martinez was drafted by the Seahawks in the seventh round (223rd overall). 

The 6-foot 217-pounder fits the Seahawks’ offensive scheme due to his physicality since it allows him to gain yards after contact. His reunion with Arroyo could enhance the on-field chemistry they had in Miami. After being drafted by the Seahawks, the former Miami standout made it clear about what Seahawks fans can expect.

“You got another Beast Mode 2.0 coming up,” Martinez said to the media. “Get ready to see it.”

Castro, Restrepo sign as non-drafted free agents

A pair of Our Esquina Latino College Football Players of the Year – Sebastian Castro and Xavier Restrepo – will pursue their NFL dreams as non-drafted free agents.

Iowa safety Sebastian Castro, the 2023 Latino Player of the Year, signed with the Steelers. The Mexican American from the Chicago suburbs finished his career at Iowa with 163 tackles. Castro also had five forced fumbles, four interceptions and 14 pass breakups. 

His versatility and physicality could help Castro become an asset to the Steelers’ special teams and make the 53-man roster.

Washington defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Valdez finished his senior season with 48 tackles (18 solo) and two sacks. 

His ability to adapt and his physicality might help him contribute early in the run defense, special teams or rotating in the pass rush. 

Even after surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famers Andre Johnson and Michael Irvin along with Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne in the Miami Hurricanes’ all-time receiving list, Xavier Restrepo wasn’t drafted.

He signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent. Restrepo is reuniting with first overall pick Cam Ward. With the Heisman Trophy-winning Ward at quarterback, Restrepo had 69 receptions for a career-high 1,127 yards with 11 touchdowns in 2024. 

Restrepo was billed as Ward’s favorite target. The 5-foot-10, 198-pounder will try to use his chemistry with Ward to make the 53-man roster.