The New Orleans Saints were thought to be taking a risk when the organization made the decision to move on from veteran kicker Wil Lutz and go with the rookie Blake Grupe.
So far, the risk has paid off as the Notre Dame product was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against the New England Patriots. In that game in Foxborough, Grupe scored 10 out of the 34 points New Orleans scored including field goals beyond 50 yards. The 53 and 54-yard kicks were the rookie’s longest of his career.
During his first five games, Grupe has made 11 out of 12 field goal attempts and has converted all of his extra-point kicks for a total of 42 points. The lone missed kick was a potential game-winning 46-yard kick against the Green Bay Packers.
The 24-year-old was crucial in wins versus the Tennesee Titans as he converted all three kicks including a 52-yarder to get the one-point win and in a Monday Night Football matchup with the Carolina Panthers, the Saints won by three. Grupe was also the only player to score in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with three field goals made.
In his college career, Grupe started his first four years with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, making 64 out of 86 attempts with a long of 50. In 2022, Grupe transferred to play for the Fighting Irish and made 14 out of 19 kicks with a long of 47.
Next up for Grupe and the New Orleans Saints will be an away game against the Houston Texans. That game will be played Sunday, October 15th with kickoff set for noon.