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In terms of impact, outside of quarterback, it’s hard to find a position where just one player can make such a big difference on the outcome of a game or season than placekicker.
Especially at the college level, where the gap between best and worst is so much larger than it is in the NFL.
Punters and kickers don’t get much acclaim on National Signing Day, but often they contribute immediately — especially those that are scholarship players replacing an outgoing guy. There are several of those in the SEC this year. Here are five who could (should?) contribute immediately.
Kicker Braden Mann, Texas A&M
The Aggies have actually shifted Mann, an early enrollee, to punter this spring, with Daniel LaCamera expected to take over placekicking duties. The Texas A&M coaches have raved about Mann’s booming leg, which is nice to hear on the heels of Drew Kaser exhausting his eligibility. But special teams coach Jeff Banks told reporters that Mann needs to learn directional punting instead of just kicking it as high and far as he can down the middle of the field. Mann and Shane Tripucka are expected to compete for the punting job all the way through fall camp. Mann also should compete with LaCamera for kickoff duties.
Kicker Tucker McCann, Missouri
The Tigers are counting on McCann to replace Andrew Baggett, who closed his college career strong. McCann enrolled early this spring and will compete with a pair of junior walk-ons for the job. He nailed a 60-yard field goal in high school, the Illinois state record, and drilled 53 and 51-yard tries as well. But he converted just 57.4 percent of his tries. Giving him some leniency considering he attempted much longer kicks than most high schoolers, he’ll still need to improve on his accuracy by the fall.
Punter Grant McKinniss, Kentucky
The heir apparent to former UK punter Landon Foster, McKinniss is yet another Ohio product headed to Lexington. A late riser in the recruiting rankings, he went from unrated to a four-star punter near the top of the national charts after performing well late in the 2016 cycle. He’s also got a placekicking background and adds depth for the Wildcats in that regard. Expect him to be the team’s punter from the opening game this fall.
Kicker Connor Culp, LSU
Asked on National Signing Day which members of the team’s esteemed 2016 class would be able to contribute early, coach Les Miles immediately named Culp. Hey, kickers are people too. And at LSU, special teams has been a priority for a long time. Culp was one of the nation’s most coveted placekickers, and chose the Tigers over Army and a preferred walk-o spot at Arizona State. He’ll have every opportunity to see the field immediately this fall.
Punter Marshall Long, Georgia
A Virginia Tech commitment at one time, Long migrated before National Signing Day, following former Hokies assistant Frank Beamer to Athens, Ga. Scholarship punter Collin Barber finished his career, but backup quarterback Brice Ramsey overtook him last season, averaging 41.9 yards per punt. According to the Roanoke Times, Long averaged 46.5 yards per punt as a high school senior. Don’t be surprised if he wrests the job from Ramsey by the fall.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
