The Pittsburgh Steelers always carry two kickers into training camp. But usually, the other kicker that gives Chris Boswell a rest during the preseason isn't a record breaking kicker. Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba was signed to a contract following rookie mini camp this weekend. Sciba was attending on a tryout basis. Sciba is the fourth invitee to receive a contract from the Steelers today.
Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba is lifted in the air after he made the winning field goal in the Demon Deacons' 37-34 win over Louisville last Saturday at Truist Field in Winston-Salem. (PJ Ward-Brown / North State Journal)
Sciba has never missed a PAT in his college career, making 193 of 193 attempts.
His career success rate for field goals is 90%, including 92% for the 2021 season. In his four years, he has hit 80 of 89 field goal attempts. In 2021, he was 23 of 25. He holds the NCAA record with 34 consecutive field goals made, and he is the most efficient field goal kicker in ACC history for anyone who has at least 50 career attempts.
Sciba spoke with Last Word Sports and seems to be a humble young man despite his college success.
“I’m not a big fan of talking about myself,” he said. “But it feels good to hear that because it means my hard work has really paid off. I hope that it can pay off at the next level as well.
It isn't likely that a rookie is going to unseat Boswell as the Steelers kicker, but Boswell has missed time each of the past few years. The Steelers were forced to sign Sam Sloman to their practice squad last year after Boswell took a vicious hit at the end of the second quarter in Cleveland and was knocked out of the game.
To make room on the 90-man roster, the Steelers released Sloman.
Career Accolades listed on Wake Forest's Website
NCAA, ACC and Wake Forest record holder with 34 consecutive made field goals
Most accurate kicker in NCAA, ACC and Wake Forest history at 89.9 percent
Ended his career with 433 points, a school record and ranks third all-time in ACC history
Fastest player in NCAA history to reach top-10 in field goals made with just 89 attempts
2021 Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
2021 All-ACC First Team selection by the league, coaches and press
2021 Lou Groza Star of the Week (Sept. 27)
2021 ACC Specialist of the Week (Sept. 27, Oct. 11)
2021 Preseason All-ACC Team (Coaches & Media)
2021 Athlon Preseason First Team All-ACC
2021 Lindy’s Preseason First Team All-ACC
2021 PFF Preseason First Team All-ACC
2020 Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
2020 All-ACC Third Team selection by the league and coaches
2020 All-ACC Academic Team
2020 ESPN Preseason All-American
2020 Preseason First Team All-American by Lindy's Sports
2020 Preseason Second Team All-American by Athlon Sports, Street & Smith, Sporting News and Phil Steele
2019 First Team All-American by ESPN
2019 Second Team All-American by FWAA, Sports Illustrated and Phil Steele
2019 Third Team All-American by Associated Press and Athlon
2019 Lou Groza Award Semifinalist
