USF Bulls: Nico Gramatica is the Special Teams X-Factor

If this player’s last name sounds familiar, it should! Nico Gramatica comes from a long line of kickers and is USF Bulls royalty. While continuing the family legacy, Nico makes a name for himself by adding depth, range, and power to the Bulls’ special teams unit. He’s not only a vital member of the team but also an emerging fan favorite, and his story is a very interesting one to tell! That said, let’s jump right in.

USF Player Profile: Nico Gramatica

• Position: Kicker
• USF Bulls
• 5’8″ 165 lbs
• Year: Sophomore

Who is Nico Gramatica?

A Tampa native, Nico is a record-setting kicker for Cambridge Christian School’s program, where he also played soccer. He was rated as the No. 1 kicker in the 2024 class and a two-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports. As a senior, he set a program record with a 54-yard field goal. He later broke his record, hitting a 56-yarder.

Gramatica received interest across the nation and ultimately chose the Bulls after visiting the University of Florida, the University of Oklahoma, and his father’s alma mater, Kansas State.

Nico’s father, Martin, and uncles Bill and Santiago all kicked at either the college or NFL Level. His uncle Bill still holds USF’s record for the longest field goal (63 yards). Martin Gramatica was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and with USF hosting home games at Raymond James Stadium, Nico is playing on the same field his father once did, which is pretty cool. His younger brother, Gaston Gramatica, is also a kicker and recently committed to USF as part of the 2026 class.

Fun fact: His father and uncles all wore number seven. Nico began his first fall camp wearing the same number, but with two number sevens already on the roster, he switched to number 25 —a subtle nod to his family legacy (2 + 5 = 7).

Special Teams X-Factor

Nico already has NFL-level range, drilling multiple kicks over 50 yards as a true freshman. He’s also consistent on kickoffs, with 29 touchbacks on 68 attempts in the 2024 season. That’s resulted in excellent field position and helping set the tone for defensive stops, including a fumble recovery of his own against Alabama. In his first season alone, Nico kicked for 4,087 yards and went three-for-five on field goals, all from beyond 50 yards.

Continuing on this trajectory, he set the record as the first kicker in USF program history to complete two 50-yard field goals in the same game: a 58-yarder and a 51-yarder versus Miami. His 58-yarder, a career high, is also the second-longest field goal in program history and just five yards short of his Uncle Bill’s record. Nico’s highest single-game kickoff yardage was 517 yards, on eight kicks, against Florida Atlantic.

Gramatica is entering the 2025 season as a member of Lindy’s Preseason All-AAC Second Team. And, he’s looking to expand his position as an all-around playmaker, handling more than just kickoffs and long field goals. Mentally, he brings composure and confidence to high-stakes situations. Physically, his kicking mechanics are clean, which bolsters his power and accuracy. He has the rare ability to deliver in make-or-break moments, and he does it flawlessly.

2025 Outlook

Expect Nico to continue to thrive on long-distance downs in 2025. The next step for Gramatica will be solidifying his role as a kicker who can execute on any target. He’s already proved he can deliver down the field. Now, it’s about showcasing his consistency from all field positions. The coaching staff is eyeing him as a potential all-around weapon, executing PATs and strategic in-game field goals from any range.

More than just his legacy name, he’s already a record-setter and one of the most exciting special-teams assets in the AAC. In close matchups, having Nico on the roster is a momentum changer!

Bulls fans should keep your eyes on No. 25 this season. When the game’s on the line, Nico Gramatica might just launch a bomb (or two) to seal a victory!