The noise of the crowd is deafening — most spectators are eager to see him fail. The tension is so thick it could be cut with a knife, but in the mind of Jesus Gomez, there’s only calm and familiarity.
His left leg swings through the air, and before the ball even sails through the uprights, the celebration has begun. His ASU teammates hoist him high as his No. 35 jersey, with the name Gomez-Juarez stitched across the back, flashes across screens nationwide.
Deep in the mountains of Southeast Mexico lies the Puebla. A state defined by industrialization, art, culture and architecture and rooted in its motto, "Unidos en el tiempo, en el esfuerzo, en la justicia y en la esperanza." In English, it translates to "United in time, effort, justice and hope."
A native of Puebla and a transfer from Eastern Michigan, Gomez, a kicker for the Sun Devil football team and a redshirt senior, has brought confidence and reliability to the once-struggling ASU kicking unit.
In 2024, across three kickers, the Sun Devils went 11 for 20 on field goal attempts. Through eight weeks of the 2025 season, Gomez is 16 for 20 on his field goal attempts, including game winners against Baylor and TCU.
"It feels like home," Gomez said. "We know when to have fun and when to work, so I think that's the biggest part."
Confidence is something not only Gomez thrives on, but that ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham fully believes in toward the kicker.
"(His) level of focus is why I have so much confidence in him," Dillingham said. "It matters to him, and when it matters to somebody, you can trust him."
In ASU’s biggest game of the season against Texas Tech, Gomez went a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points, accounting for 14 of the Sun Devils’ 26 points.
Gomez said he relates himself, as an avid WWE fan, to CM Punk, who has the motto, "The Best in the World." Gomez went a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points, accounting for 14 of the Sun Devils’ 26 points.
"He’s so confident," Gomez said, comparing himself to Punk. "He knows he’s good."
Gomez makes up one of the 7% of "Hispanic/Latino" athletes who compete in NCAA sports, according to NCAA. It's a distinction he said he carries with pride and a sense of responsibility, aware of the stereotypes that come with being a football player from Mexico.
"When you think of Mexico, you think of soccer or baseball," Gomez said. "Football is a growing sport in Mexico ... No one's going to think someone is going to be good at football."
For Gomez, representation runs deeper than just statistics. He's proud of his country and his family, who still live in Puebla — a representation he chose to amplify upon arriving in Arizona.
During his four years at Eastern Michigan, his nameplate only read Gomez on his back. With more national attention at ASU, Gomez wanted to honor both sides of his family.
Juarez, his mother's maiden name, is now adorned on his back, showing love and serving as a tribute to his mother's family.
"In 2020, my mom's sister passed away, so I feel like also doing that for her, showing that I still remember her," Gomez said. "After the first game, everyone texted me, 'Hey, we see you have Juarez,' so that's pretty awesome."
Gomez has found another family in Tempe with his ASU teammates and coaching staff, who admire the kicker and put their trust in him.
"He’s a professional in the kicking world," sophomore punter and holder Kanyon Floyd said. "Everything is detailed, he has a process for every kick ... so he knows what he’s doing."
As the Sun Devils prepare for another push at a Big 12 title, Gomez is laser-focused on the task ahead.
"I don’t want to go home right now," Gomez said. "I do miss my family, but I really don’t want to. I have things to do here."
Edited by Jack McCarthy, George Headley and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at eapache3@asu.edu.
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