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NCAA Scouting
2013 Draft – Kicker / Punter Rankings
by Paul Emery
April 18th 2013
For new readers it’s worth quickly going through how I do things. If you are looking for a consensus ranking or something that copies from elsewhere, then this isn’t the place! I watched 278 games this year, I like to watch full games rather than the cut up prospect clips on YouTube (which I do use to break ties or where I can’t get full games), so I can get into the flow of the game and really understand when a big play is needed etc. I try and watch the top prospects at least 6 times, the middle rounders 3 to 5 and the later rounders at least a couple of times. I rate each game I see, work out an average and then build in the Combine/Pro Day numbers (see my two Combine articles).
These rankings are therefore my personal position boards and are in no way meant to predict who will be taken first in the Draft. Someone might be taken in the top 10, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I think he will make it in the NFL after all there are busts every year, so why shouldn’t rankings differ?! I’m sure NFL teams boards vary far more than the media believe.
I have no contacts in the NFL and have kept it that way on purpose so their opinions don’t change my mind. I always trust what I see on tape. However, this does mean I am not party to which players are character or medical red flags outside of what is in the media. I take into account medical to a degree, but will ignore character red flags outside of a mention in the text as I don’t know these prospects personally and it’s unfair to judge them (e.g. last year I had Janoris Jenkins as my number one CB). With that said, let’s get started with the offensive tackle class.
Last year saw a punter taken in the top 100 picks, although this was a rarity there are some good prospects that stand a chance of being drafted this year.
1. Quinn Sharp PK/P Oklahoma State. 4 year punter for OSU and also place kicker for 2 years. Like the Falcons Matt Bosher I’m not quite sure what his pro position will be, but I think I like him better as a kicker (thought that with Bosher too and he’s a punter, so what do I know?!). Takes a little too long to get the ball off when punting, although this can be cleaned up. Very good leg on kick-offs many were touchbacks. Has a very good leg and gets very good height on his kicks. Not sure about the 80’s rock band hair cut though!
2. Jeff Locke P UCLA. Punted and also kicked off for the Bruins. Gets very good height on his punts, allowing his coverage unit to get downfield. Has the ability to kick back punts inside the 10. Has a good leg, but sometimes can get height but not distance, so just loses out to Sharp.
3. Ryan Allen P Louisiana Tech. Two time winner of the Ray Guy Award for the best punter in college football. Left footed. Did not always get a great many chances to use his skills on a team with a high powered offense, so I might be under selling him. Does a nice job of downing punts inside the 10 and has a nice leg, but I’m not sure it’s a really huge one which limits how high I’m willing to put him.
4. Dustin Hopkins PK Florida State. Hopkins stands out with his approach to the ball on kick-offs, looking like a prancing pony in dressage! Interestingly (at least to me!) at the Senior Bowl his approach to the ball was conventional, so not sure if he was shamed into getting rid of the funky approach! I think he has the leg to get a touchback most of the time, but many of his kick-offs were shorter but with height to try and pin the opposition inside the 20. Had a better year than Blair Walsh last year, but still a couple of games where the radar was off (Clemson particularly). Gets excellent height on his kicks and has a very good leg.
5. Sam Martin P Appalachian State. Martin caught my eye last year when I was watching Brian Quick and he impressed again this year. Did place kick a little this year, but he’s a punter only as a pro prospect. He did get good distance on his kick-offs, so could perhaps be paired with a veteran kicker who is reliable but lacks a huge leg for this part of the game. Gets really good height on his punts completely neutralised a dangerous returner in the Montana game. Doesn’t seem to be ranked highly, but I think he’s good enough to crack the league.
6. Brad Wing* P LSU. Australian native has limited experience, only played one year of football before LSU. Redshirted and then played for two years before declaring. Suspended for the Bowl game for a violation of team rules. Like fellow Australian Alex Dunnachie (see below) very natural at dropping the ball inside the 10, gets that from Australian Rules Football. Has a really nice leg, but sometimes gets more distance than height resulting in out kicking his coverage. Did shank a couple under pressure. Has tools, but needs a little refinement.
7. Brett Maher PK/P Nebraska. Handled all the kicking duties, but looked better as a place kicker to me. He has a very nice leg made a 51 yarder against Michigan which hit the net half way up! His kick-offs were a little inconsistent, but like Hopkins I think he was asked to aim for the 5 but get good height might be over thinking from special teams coaches! Often a rugby style punter, had some nice punts but not quite as talented in this area. Worth a draft pick.
8. Caleb Sturgis PK Florida. Had some struggles with an ankle injury (had one blocked against Missouri and didn’t kick again in that game). Did have two other kicks blocked in 2012, so must get the ball up more otherwise it’s going to be a tough task to crack a roster. Does have a nice leg and gets good distance on his kick-offs.
9. Alex Dunnachie P Hawai’i. Australian native who had never seen a game in person on his debut for Hawai’i! Suspended for three games at the start of 2012 following a DUI making that two punters with off the field red flags. Stood out at the Casino Del Sol All-Star game had three punts downed inside the 20. Like Brad Wing, can get the ball to kick back and not head in for a touchback. Has a good leg and got plenty of practice on a poor team!
10. Bobby Cowan P Idaho. Big (6’5 232 lbs) left footer. Has a good leg but has some inconsistencies and does outkick his coverage. Has the tools and should make a camp, but numbers not as good in 2012 (leg might have worn out on a struggling team!).
For completeness sake, here are my top 5 long snappers as well (yes, I need to get out more!).
1. Carson Tinker Alabama.
2. Luke Ingram Hawai’i.
3. Jordan Cowart Notre Dame.
4. Chris Beaver James Madison.
5. Kevin McDermott UCLA.
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