| No. 26 Free Agent | |
_(cropped).jpg) Gaglianone with Wisconsin in 2017 | |
| Born: | 26 December 1994 São Paulo, Brazil |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | Global |
| Position(s) | K |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| College | Wisconsin |
| CFL Draft | 2022G, Round: 2, Pick: 17 |
| Drafted by | Edmonton Elks |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022 | Edmonton Elks |
| *Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Rafael Gaglianone (born 26 December 1994) is a Brazilian gridiron football placekicker who is currently a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Gaglianone attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[1] He received scholarship offers from North Carolina State University and the University of Wisconsin, choosing Wisconsin because, “[he] had been in the south for too long.”[2] After finishing his college career, the Big Ten posted on Twitter that he would be returning to Brazil to "work for a company that bridges opportunities for international students to receive scholarships in the USA."[3]
During the 2014–15 season, Gaglianone went 19-for-22 on field goals and 59-for-61 on extra points. In 2015, Gaglianone was named to the Big Ten all-bowl team for kicking a 29-yard field goal with seven seconds left to send the game against Auburn into overtime, and kicking the game winning 25-yard field goal in the first overtime period.[4][5]
In July 2015, Gaglianone was listed on the Lou Groza Award preseason watchlist.[6] However his sophomore season was not as good as his breakout freshman season, going only 18-for-27 on field goals. He was able to make eight of eight kicks from within 30 yards, though he missed three kicks in the 30s, 40s and 50s. He made game-winning field goals against Nebraska in October and USC in the Holiday Bowl.
On 25 July 2016, it was revealed that Gaglianone would wear No. 27 for the upcoming 2016 football season in honor of his friend, Nebraska punter Sam Foltz, who had died in a car accident days before. He had previously worn No. 10.[7]
To open the 2016 season, Gaglianone was 3-for-3 on field goals (30, 47, 48 yards) against the No. 5 LSU Tigers, including the game-winning field goal in the last two minutes of the game. With the fourth game-winning field goal of his career Gaglianone set the record for the most in school history.[8] Following the game Gaglianone was lauded with multiple 'Player of the Week' awards, including Big Ten special teams player of the week, Rose Bowl Big Ten player of the week and one of three Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week.[8][9][10] Gaglianone subsequently missed most of the remainder of the season, due to a back injury.[11] He ended the season having appeared in only three games, making 7-of-8 field goals and 10-of-10 extra points.[12] The season did not count against his four years of NCAA eligibility.
During the 2017 season, Gaglianone appeared in 14 games, making 16-of-18 field goals and all 59 extra points he attempted.[12] Gaglianone returned to Wisconsin for his final collegiate season in 2018.
Gaglianone was drafted in the second round (17th overall) of the 2022 CFL Global Draft by the Edmonton Elks.[13] He spent the entire 2022 season with the Elks, but did not attempt any kicks. Gaglianone was released by Edmonton on 16 May 2023.[14]