http://gobearcats.com/news/2017/8/17/foo...under.aspx

Nice article as always Dan. Love what CLF is bringing.

Great article, great title.

If we're being honest, a freshman punter who's never played American football scares the crap out me.

I trust the preparation and training he's going through now, but when he runs on the field for that first live punt, I'll be holding my breath.

Always love your stuff Dan - thanks for the insight.

(08-18-2017 07:02 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  If we're being honest, a freshman punter who's never played American football scares the crap out me.

I trust the preparation and training he's going through now, but when he runs on the field for that first live punt, I'll be holding my breath.

I agree...but I am trusting the staff and the process.

(08-18-2017 07:02 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  If we're being honest, a freshman punter who's never played American football scares the crap out me.

I trust the preparation and training he's going through now, but when he runs on the field for that first live punt, I'll be holding my breath.

These Aussie punters are all the rage right now. Seemingly half of the FBS schools have one now (Kentucky just got one as did UConn). My guess is within a few years nearly every school will have one.

Here's another article from two years ago discussing how Australian punters are influencing football. My guess is Smith might be a little shaky in the first game or two, but after he gets a little more used to the surroundings he is going to be just fine.

http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/au...e-football

(08-18-2017 07:02 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  If we're being honest, a freshman punter who's never played American football scares the crap out me.

I trust the preparation and training he's going through now, but when he runs on the field for that first live punt, I'll be holding my breath.

Especially in front of 110,000 at the Big House week 2.

(08-18-2017 09:34 AM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(08-18-2017 07:02 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  If we're being honest, a freshman punter who's never played American football scares the crap out me.

I trust the preparation and training he's going through now, but when he runs on the field for that first live punt, I'll be holding my breath.

Especially in front of 110,000 at the Big House week 2.

The one thing he has going for him is that he has played Aussie Rules for 6 years. In American Football he knows that the people running at him can't touch him...which is EXTREMELY different than his prior experience. The camp that he came out of has literally produced the best punters in the country over the last decade, so I have faith that he'll be ready.

(08-18-2017 09:41 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(08-18-2017 09:34 AM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(08-18-2017 07:02 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  If we're being honest, a freshman punter who's never played American football scares the crap out me.

I trust the preparation and training he's going through now, but when he runs on the field for that first live punt, I'll be holding my breath.

Especially in front of 110,000 at the Big House week 2.

The one thing he has going for him is that he has played Aussie Rules for 6 years. In American Football he knows that the people running at him can't touch him...which is EXTREMELY different than his prior experience. The camp that he came out of has literally produced the best punters in the country over the last decade, so I have faith that he'll be ready.

I agree.

Rugby/Aussie Rules (whatever he plays) is just as violent as football. He's used to taking big hits while kicking. For a punter, football is probably a step down in violence compared to what he's used to.

It's not like he's a soccer player.