With hardworking, loyal parents, that mentality was passed down to their sons. But despite humble beginnings, the brothers picked up fierce competitiveness in Miami that resulted in a certain swagger.
Jose went on to kick four years at Florida International University, showing his younger brother the path to becoming a college kicker.
Borregales, meanwhile, was cementing himself as one of the best high school kickers in the country.
Diaz’ staff at Miami took notice of the talent in their own backyard.
“We had a really good relationship with the Borregales family through Andy’s recruitment, and after a year of recruiting him, Jose graduated and had one year (of eligibility) left so he actually transferred as a grad student from FIU to play at Miami that last year,” Kalter said.
“It was really successful with (Jose) winning the Lou Groza award and being an All-American, and then Andy signed right after that. It was kind of a whirlwind from there.”
Diaz recalls Borregales having a phenomenal performance at one of Miami’s summertime kicking camps and offering him soon after.
Being a Hurricane was Borregales’ dream, and he verbally committed thereafter. Jose then transferred to warm up the job awaiting his little brother in Coral Gables before passing the torch.
“Jose had an outstanding senior year with us, and the idea that there was a Borregales kicking in Miami for five years straight was a pretty neat thing,” Diaz said. “They’re a wonderful family, great people, and I wasn’t surprised to see the success he had after I left.”
With plans to play for the Hurricanes already in place, Borregales transferred to Champagnat Catholic High School for his senior year of high school in 2020. The switch would allow him to graduate early and contend for a Florida Class 2A state title.
Champagnat Catholic had just won two out of four state championship appearances, and under Clavijo, was looking to go back-to-back.
At the time, Clavijo’s squad had an underclassman kicker after years of struggling at the position, and Borregales served as a great mentor. The top recruit took care of kickoffs and longer field goals, while the younger player gained experience with extra points.
“At that point, Andy didn’t really have anything to prove, so he was a really great teammate and allowed the other kid to develop,” Clavijo said.
“It was huge for us and just ended up being a great fit the entire season. We all understood the business and what he came here for. He wanted the opportunity to graduate early and win another state championship so we all had similar goals in mind, but sometimes, when you’re dealing with a high-profile guy like that, there is a little bit of a diva personality. But him, he just wanted to win.”
Borregales got what he wanted.
The Class 2A state championship ended up being scheduled at Florida State University on National Signing Day. Champagnat Catholic took over their hotel lobby in Tallahassee as four members of the football team committed to Division I programs.
Later on that day, Borregales helped his and Clavijo’s team to a second consecutive title.
“It was a special time because my brother, who was my defensive coordinator, had passed away that summer,” Clavijo said.
“He died in a car accident, so the whole season was very emotional, but it all ended the right way. With signing day, and with us winning another state championship that same day, it was very special. The atmosphere was amazing playing at FSU and everything aligned itself.”
With that chapter finished, Borregales went on to Miami to begin his freshman year.
Around the same time, Jose signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, was waived, and then re-signed to the practice squad where he spent the 2021 season.
Jose was waived again in August of 2022 without the chance to kick in the NFL.
“His older brother was extremely talented and in my opinion was deserving of a better chance than the one he got in the NFL, and I know that means a lot to Andres, it means a lot to him for the family, not just for his own success, but he knows Jose really should have had a better shot than what he was given in that league,” Diaz said.
“I would never speak for him, but I’m sure Andres was aware of just how difficult it is, how competitive it is, and how much politics goes into it at that level. It’s about finding the right spot at the right time with the right situation.”
With no kicker on the Patriots’ roster at the time of the 2025 NFL Draft and a history of excellent specialists, New England appears to be a perfect situation – even in the cold.
“With the cold, I think he’s going to have a harder time shoveling the (expletive) snow out of his driveway than he is kicking in the cold,” Kalter said.
“He’s going to be fine and he’s preparing for it. I promise you right now, that narrative is going to fuel him even more. He’s going to crave that snowy, classic New England game. And he’ll thrive in it.”