Baylor's Mr. Football Rafael Gaglianone commits to Wisconsin

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog
photo Rafael Gaglianone

It took just one frozen visit for the Brazilian surfer Rafael Gaglianone to decide he didn't mind the Wisconsin cold.

After an on-campus visit to the University of Wisconsin, Baylor School's two-time all-state place-kicker has committed to the Badgers.

Gaglianone, who chose Wisconsin over an offer from North Carolina State, was named the Tennessee Mr. Football kicker of the year Monday afternoon. He was unable to attend the banquet in Murfreesboro after holiday travel plans left him in California longer than expected.

"I hated that I missed being there, but it's such a huge honor to win that award," said Gaglianone by phone Monday evening. "It's definitely something I had made a personal goal, so it feels amazing to achieve it, especially since this was such a great class of kickers in the state.

"I loved everything about my visit to Wisconsin. I was worried about the cold before going up there, but then I realized if I'm going to play in the NFL, most of those teams play in the cold so I better get used to it. The facilities are great, it's a Big Ten school and there's an opportunity for me to play right away."

Gaglianone made 10 of his 14 field-goal attempts this season, with a long of 57 yards. One of his misses came from 63 yards, which would have been a state record but sailed wide left. He put 42 of his 44 kickoffs through the end zone for touchbacks.

"Obviously it's a great individual award for Rafael," Baylor coach Phil Massey said. "We're proud of what he's accomplished in his two years in our program, and I expect big things from him once he gets to Wisconsin."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

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