The Ryan Fitzgerald story at FSU is one that embodies everything Mike Norvell preaches. It's the ability to respond to adversity. Fitzgerald had a rough start to his FSU career, making 10 of 13 field goal attempts and missing three extra point attempts in his freshman season.
His sophomore season saw Fitzgerald make 12 of 20 attempts. His confidence was so shaken that Mike Norvell would go for it on fourth down several times that season because he had no faith Fitzgerald could make what would usually be routine kicks.
However, Fitzgerald rebounded nicely in his junior season, making 19 of 21 attempts and all 58 extra point attempts. He was perfect in his senior season, making all 13 attempts, including five from 50+ yards and all extra point attempts.
His efforts earned an undrafted free agent spot with the Carolina Panthers, where he is in competition with five-year NFL veteran Matthew Wright.
Fitzgerald seemed to seize control in the battle early in mini-camp, but only made one of three field goal attempts at the Carolina Panthers' Fan Fest event a week ago. Matthew Wright made an extra point in the first NFL preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Friday night, but it was Fitzgerald who got the call to kick a 32-yard field goal late in the game when the Panthers trailed 30-7.
Fitzgerald easily made the kick right down the middle of the uprights in his first appearance in an actual game. That's likely big for his confidence as the competition moves forward. The Panthers will visit the Houston Texans next Saturday in their second preseason game. It will be a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.