OT - Anyone know punting & recruiting?

[Redding Husky]

My son is trying out in March at the college he chose. His senior year in high school, he averaged 43.7 yards per punt and a 3.6 hang time. He was actually kicking a traditional/rugby hybrid style (he hated doing it). The current punter on the college team averaged just under 41 yards per punt and I don't know his hang time.

Obviously my son could be told that he made the team or the coach could say they don't need him. What about walking on? Does anyone have any advice or guidance about that option? I was not an athlete and I know nothing about this. I've heard walk ons may not get much respect from the scholarship players. I was also wondering if his numbers sound decent?

If it matters, this is at a junior college.

 

[Woof 101]

My son is trying out in March at the college he chose. His senior year in high school, he averaged 43.7 yards per punt and a 3.6 hang time. He was actually kicking a traditional/rugby hybrid style (he hated doing it). The current punter on the college team averaged just under 41 yards per punt and I don't know his hang time.

Obviously my son could be told that he made the team or the coach could say they don't need him. What about walking on? Does anyone have any advice or guidance about that option? I was not an athlete and I know nothing about this. I've heard walk ons may not get much respect from the scholarship players. I was also wondering if his numbers sound decent?

If it matters, this is at a junior college.

Redding, no expert here but a couple of suggestions. First off the top, for goodness sake just holler your question off your back deck or in the front yard. You live in TEXAS!
OK with that out of the way, I would have by now talked to his high school coach for opinions and a highlight video. Has he had contact with the coach of the school he has chosen? Been to any camps? If not it may be an option as they are not only instructional but the evaluation of talent level is part of what they do.

As for respect from fellow players I am sure that depends from team to team. From everything I have learned in the past if you work hard and participate in a lot of the same drills as the rest of the team you are respected. Regardless of position respect has to be earned but most players are knowledgeable enough to know how valuable a kicker is to the success of the team. Hit the information highway...I found this to get you started.
College Prospect Performance Standards - The Kicking Coach - kicking camp, punter, punting lessons, kicking lessons, the kicking coach, special teams, coaching kickers, coaching punters, kicking coach, midwest kicking camps, michigan kicking camp
Good luck, I hope he has an enjoyable college experience in the classroom and on the field!

 

[whaler11]

If you are going to walk on kicker and punter are the spots to do it. You don't have to spend all week getting destroyed in practice.

 

[huskymedic]

Desi Cullen
@desicullen13
UConn's all-time leading punter | Leads @KornblueKicking DMV satellite location (Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia) | Phil. 4:13


Kornblue Kicking | Football Kicking Camps, Punting Camps, & Long Snapping Camps

 

[Redding Husky]

Redding, no expert here but a couple of suggestions. First off the top, for goodness sake just holler your question off your back deck or in the front yard. You live in TEXAS!
OK with that out of the way, I would have by now talked to his high school coach for opinions and a highlight video. Has he had contact with the coach of the school he has chosen? Been to any camps? If not it may be an option as they are not only instructional but the evaluation of talent level is part of what they do.

As for respect from fellow players I am sure that depends from team to team. From everything I have learned in the past if you work hard and participate in a lot of the same drills as the rest of the team you are respected. Regardless of position respect has to be earned but most players are knowledgeable enough to know how valuable a kicker is to the success of the team. Hit the information highway...I found this to get you started.
College Prospect Performance Standards - The Kicking Coach - kicking camp, punter, punting lessons, kicking lessons, the kicking coach, special teams, coaching kickers, coaching punters, kicking coach, midwest kicking camps, michigan kicking camp
Good luck, I hope he has an enjoyable college experience in the classroom and on the field!

The coach is asking for a video and a letter from my son. We have those things and a letter of recommendation from his high school coach. He's been to three camps. I think we're in good shape. I just wonder if his kicking is adequate and what to expect if walking on becomes an option.

He's set on going to this JC and then to either Texas A&M or Oklahoma to finish his degree, whether he makes the football team next month or not.

Thanks for your post, including the links.

 

[Redding Husky]

Desi Cullen
@desicullen13
UConn's all-time leading punter | Leads @KornblueKicking DMV satellite location (Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia) | Phil. 4:13


Kornblue Kicking | Football Kicking Camps, Punting Camps, & Long Snapping Camps

Thanks. He's been to the same camp three times. A different one would be a good idea.

 

[Stinger92860]

All I know is that returning punts has been illegal for the last 3 years.

 

[BlueDogs]

Here is a good resource. Based on the info I see, his average distance looks good, but his hang time needs to improve a bit for FBS. The other factors are how fast is his kick release, and also his placement accuracy. Hope the reference helps.

The College Football Recruiting Process for Placekickers, Punters, & Long Snappers

 

[SAMCRO]

Good thing about evaluating Punters, if invited to "try out" for a walk-on spot, there is a pretty easy eye ball test that can happen. Yes everything is different with a snap and a rush (getting the punt off with the stop watch running), but the coaches will at least get a good read on the mechanics and if there is something there to work with. As mentioned above, there are a ton of kicking camps that are regularly visited by college coaches. If a kicker/punter has the chops, they usually will get noticed.

Good luck to him.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Hard to get a gauge on his hangtime if he was kicking a hybrid rugby style (I don't even know what that would look like).

 

[BlueDogs]

Hard to get a gauge on his hangtime if he was kicking a hybrid rugby style (I don't even know what that would look like).

good point..

 

[Alum86]

Redding Husky: We had a super punter in Justin Wain who graduated. I believe Tarbutt steps in at kicker but punter may be more of an open spot in Storrs. Why not walk on here? Are you a Legacy?
Who knows? I love the roll out aspect with the history of our O line the past few years.
Regardless, best of luck to your son.

 

[ZOOCONN]

Hard to get a gauge on his hangtime if he was kicking a hybrid rugby style (I don't even know what that would look like).

 

[ZOOCONN]

also if you ever wondered what fielding a nfl quality punt might look like take a look at these kicks.... some get lost in the clouds.

 

[Alum86]

also if you ever wondered what fielding a nfl quality punt might look like take a look at these kicks.... some get lost in the clouds.

And the jugs machine contest that they bring students out at halftime look hard to catch.........

 

[Excalibur]

also if you ever wondered what fielding a nfl quality punt might look like take a look at these kicks.... some get lost in the clouds.

Jesus -- the sound of the ball leaving their foot echoes through the stadium like a freaking gunshot . . .

 

[Stinger92860]

Looks like they had a blast being with and competing directly with their peers.

 

[Bliss]

If you are going to walk on kicker and punter are the spots to do it. You don't have to spend all week getting destroyed in practice.

Destroyed is an apt description for a walk-on. I was a walk-on running back and defensive back at a small college in the 1950's and it was obvious the coach had no intention of ever letting me play my positions, even though I thought I made a decent showing in practices. When he issued me my game jersey it was number 58 and that confirmed my suspicions. I said, "Adios," and was finished with college athletics. (The varsity basketball coach came to me later and asked me to join the team but I had learned my lesson about being a walk-on.)

 

[Redding Husky]

Redding Husky: We had a super punter in Justin Wain who graduated. I believe Tarbutt steps in at kicker but punter may be more of an open spot in Storrs. Why not walk on here? Are you a Legacy?
Who knows? I love the roll out aspect with the history of our O line the past few years.
Regardless, best of luck to your son.

I'd love to have him walk on at UConn, but I can't afford the out of state tuition after paying $2,500/month in child support for 14+ years. I'm broke. He's going to a school here in Texas. Maybe if he does well for two years he could transfer and play up north. He likes the meteorology program at Valparaiso.