Part 9, ST: The best specialists are Michigan-made
The No. 1 kicker and No. 1 punter were both coached by Jim Harbaugh's son. Also inside: Which returners can bust a game open? Bob McGinn's 39th Annual NFL Draft Series rounds out.
This is the 39th year that Bob McGinn has written an NFL Draft Series. Previously, it appeared in the Green Bay Press-Gazette (1985-’91), the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1992-’17), BobMcGinnFootball (2018-’19), The Athletic (2020-’21) and, now, GoLongTD.com (2022-’23). Until 2014, personnel people were quoted by name. The series reluctantly adopted an all-anonymous format in 2015 at the request of most scouts.
Today, Part 9: Special Teams.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the leading kicking and punting prospects in the NFL draft hail from Michigan. The Wolverines’ return to Big Ten and national football prominence over the past two seasons has coincided with their excellence on special teams.
Under Jay Harbaugh, who was appointed coordinator of special teams in 2019 by his father, Jim, Michigan has ranked No. 13 in 2019, No. 52 in ’20, No. 1 in ’21 and No. 8 in ’22 among NCAA Division I teams in breakdowns of overall special-teams performance by Football Outsiders.
An overlooked element in the overall resurgence has been the kicking of Jake Moody and the punting of Brad Robbins.
Moody, 23, was a unanimous choice as the top kicker in my poll of seven NFL personnel men and special-teams coordinators.
Robbins, 24, received four of seven votes as top punter compared to two for Michigan State’s Bryce Baringer and one for Oklahoma’s Michael Turk.
Moody and Robbins would become the first kicker and punter drafted from the same school since Utah produced kicker Matt Gay and punter Mitch Wishnowsky in 2019. Gay, a fifth-round selection, has made one Pro Bowl for the Los Angeles Rams whereas Wishnowsky, a fourth-round pick, has posted a net average of 40.9 yards over four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Chad Ryland, who punted seven miles away from the Michigan campus at Eastern Michigan from 2018-’21 before transferring to Maryland last season, also is regarded as an outstanding prospect. It wouldn’t be shocking if he went off before Moody.
The abundance of draft-worthy specialists from the Big Ten this spring is strange. In the past 20 years, just five kickers (Taylor Mehlhaff, Mike Nugent, Dave Rayner, Nate Kaeding, David Kimball) and five punters (Jordan Stout, Brad Nortman, Zoltan Mesko, Brandon Fields, B.J. Sander) have been selected from conference teams.
Michigan has had only two kickers and two punters drafted.
The kickers were Hayden Epstein, seventh round in 2002, and Ali Haji-Sheikh, ninth round in 1983. Epstein kicked in merely 15 games for two teams but Haji-Sheikh, as a rookie for the New York Giants, set an NFL record for most field goals made with 35. Jay Feely, a free agent who made 82.6% of his field goals in a 14-year career (2001-’14) for six teams, is Michigan’s most successful NFL kicker.
Zoltan Mesko, a fifth-round pick in 2010, and Monte Robbins, a fourth-round choice in 1988, were the Wolverines’ only drafted punters. Mesko punted in 55 games for three teams. Robbins was labeled a “mistake” by Tampa Bay coach Ray Perkins after the Buccaneers released him at the conclusion of his first training camp. That was the end of his pro career.
The late Don Bracken, a free agent from Thermopolis, Wyo., had the longest NFL tenure of any Michigan punter. His nine-year career (1985-’93) was spent largely in Green Bay.
Moody, at 82.1%, owns the best field-goal percentage of the six kickers at Michigan with 50 or more field-goal attempts. The others were Garrett Rivas (78%), Remy Hamilton (76.3%), Brendan Gibbons (75%), Quinn Nordin (72.4%) and Mike Gillette (70.4%).
Of the school’s 10 punters with at least 100 punts, Brad Robbins ranks third in career average at 43.0 behind Will Hart (44.3) and Monte Robbins (43.1).
The emphasis that Michigan has placed on the kicking game can be traced to the Harbaugh family.
Jay Harbaugh was 22 when he gained his first full-time coaching job as offensive quality control coach for the Baltimore Ravens, who were coached by his uncle, John. John Harbaugh cut his teeth in the NFL as the successful special teams coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1998-’06. Since Harbaugh became head coach of Baltimore in 2008, the Ravens probably have fielded the NFL’s best special teams. In the last 11 seasons, Baltimore has ranked among the top six teams 10 times in Rick Gosselin’s annual breakdowns of NFL performance in the kicking game.
Jay Harbaugh, 33, joined his father’s staff at Michigan in 2015. While his duties also have included coaching tight ends, running backs and safeties in various seasons, he served as the assistant on special teams for four years before taking over as coordinator in 2019.
John Harbaugh has always been a passionate advocate for the importance of special teams.
“I’m sure he has a major influence on what they do there and how they approach things,” an NFL special-teams coordinator said. “I’m sure there’s a ton of back and forth information that goes on there. I don’t know why there wouldn’t be. It would be foolish on Jim’s part not to tap into what John knows.”
That emphasis was reflected in Jim Harbaugh’s decision to include Tyler Brown on his staff at Michigan from 2016-’19. Brown, the son of kicking guru (and current Ravens’ assistant) Randy Brown, worked directly with Moody and Robbins early in their careers. Tyler Brown joined the Eagles’ staff as quality control coach for special teams in 2021 after spending 2020 with his father on the Ravens’ staff.
“I’m sure the son (Jay) talks to John and watches a lot of Baltimore tape,” an AFC executive in personnel said. “I’m sure the family tree with John passing it along is probably part of it (Michigan’s success on special teams).”
Full scouting reports on all top kickers, punters, returners and long-snappers — with analysis from personnel men across the NFL — are below. You can catch up on Bob McGinn’s entire draft series right here:
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KICKERS
1. JAKE MOODY, Michigan (6-0 ½, 210, no 40, Rounds 4-5): Kicked six field goals in his first game (November 2018) before closing with a 59-yard make against Texas Christian in the CFP semifinals. “He’s been very solid throughout his career,” an NFL special-teams coach said. “I don’t think he did as good of a job at the combine as he wished he had but I still think he’s the best guy. He does have power. Been really good on longer field goals. Very good in clutch situations. One of the better kickoffs guys also.” Finished with 82.1% on field goals (69 of 84), including 4-10 from 50-plus. His 35-yard FG with 9 seconds left in windy, 25-degree weather enabled the Wolverines to beat Illinois, 19-17, in mid-November. “I know the best kicker by far was the Michigan kicker,” one scout said. “I like the weather part of that. He’s used to that.” In 2019, he connected from 43 to beat Army in double overtime. “Shows leg strength on field goals and kickoffs,” another scout said. “He can come in and compete for a starting job. Would like to have cleaner makes but a make is a make. Mid-Day 3.” Hit 222 of his 393 kickoffs for touchbacks (56.5%). Averaged 60.3. From Northville, Mich.
2. CHAD RYLAND, Maryland (5-11 ½, 190, no 40, 6-7): Four-year starter at Eastern Michigan before entering transfer portal and kicking for the Big Ten’s Terrapins in 2022. “Has good leg talent,” one coach said. “He’s been good in clutch situations. Not quite as accurate as Moody’s been. been. He didn’t have his best day at the combine. Just a touch off. At the start of the year I had him above Moody. He’s a real, real confident guy.” Made 77% (75 of 97) in five seasons, including 75.7% at EMU and 82.6% at Maryland. Exceptional long-range statistics: 9-15 from 50-plus, 18-22 from 40-49. “His mental toughness is off the charts,” one scout said. “He (left EMU) because he wanted the freaking money. It’s all about the money today. He’s a starter.” At Maryland, he averaged 64 yards on kickoffs with a 69% touchback rate. “As flaky as he was, he's very likeable,” said a second scout. “I’m just worried about the level of consistency with his accuracy. I don’t think he’ll get drafted but he deserves to sign with somebody and just go into the cycle for kickers. I don’t think he’ll make it in his rookie year. He’ll have to get recycled and come back later.” From Lebanon, Pa.
3. ANDERS CARLSON, Auburn (6-5, 219, no 40, 7-FA): Five-year starter. “The Bengals’ kicker, Evan McPherson, has a younger brother (Alex) as a freshman at Auburn that really pushed Carlson (in 2022),” one coach said. “I think Carlson did a good job holding him off. The anticipation was that McPherson would beat him out, but he didn’t. Anders showed up and did a pretty good job.” Carlson suffered a torn ACL in late 2021 but returned in ’22. His final season was cut short by a shoulder injury. His brother, Daniel, was the Vikings’ fifth-round pick as a kicker in 2018. Now he excels for the Raiders. “I thought this guy would be just as good but he fell off,” one scout said. “Free agent.” Made 71.8% (79 of 110), including 5-17 from 50-plus and 25-39 from 40-49. His long in the past two seasons was 49. On 313 kickoffs, he averaged 61.4 with a touchback rate of 58.5%. Scored 32 on the Wonderlic test. From Colorado Springs, Colo.
OTHERS: Christopher Dunn, North Carolina State; Jack Podlesny, Georgia; B.T. Potter, Clemson; Andre Szymt, Syracuse.
PUNTERS
1. BRAD ROBBINS, Michigan (6-0 ½, 200, no 40, 5-6): Started as a true freshman in 2017 before missing all of 2018 and a portion of ’19 because of back surgery. “Good leg,” one scout said. “Relies on hang time over distance. Just needs to speed up his approach. Has the leg, though, with impressive hang time. Just wish he would boom it a little more. Kicks well directionally both ways. I liked him over (Bryce) Baringer.” Punted 179 times for a gross average of 43.0 and a net of 40.2. Had better nets in 2020 and ’21 than in ’22 (41.2). “He had a little bit down year this year,” another scout said. “He was better two years ago. He’s got a chance. I don’t think he’ll be drafted.” Career hang time of 4.18 seconds included a career-best of 4.30 in 2021. “He and Baringer are two completely different guys,” said one coach. “Baringer has the ability to have a high gross average because he can really get the ball down the field. Robbins is much more of a hang time control-directional punter. He can really get the ball up in the air. Pretty good directionally. He does a solid job as a holder. He understands football enough and how to punt situationally. Very proficient. I know what I’m getting with him.” From Westerville, Ohio. “Awesome kid,” a third scout said. “The character is good. He’s got the kind of makeup you want. He’s a football player first.”
2. BRYCE BARINGER, Michigan State (6-1 ½, 218, no 40, 6): Transferred from Illinois in spring 2018. Punted 15 times for the Spartans in 2018, took ’19 off and held the job for the past three seasons. “I had a lot of concerns about him initially,” one coach said. “He had a big leg yet he was a really big line-drive guy. That’s what he was asked to do. He went to the combine and he changed that. He got the ball up in the air really good. His combine workout was impressive. That flipped the script so now I think he’s the top guy. He has a very powerful leg along the same lines that (Jake) Camarda and (Jordan) Stout were a year ago. He did a solid job as a holder. He’s a fifth-round talent.” His gross average of 46.0 in 161 punts broke the Big Ten record of Reggie Roby (45.5) that he set from 1979-’82. Career best was 49.0 in 2022. “He’s a backup type that could come in and compete in camp and push for the starting job,” one scout said. “Strikes the ball cleanly. I don’t think he’ll be drafted.” Career net of 41.1, including a career-best 45.7 in 2022. His career hang time was just 3.78 (3.76 in 2022). “He has his eyeglasses on and he was too cool for school,” a second scout said. “I said, ‘You’re a flake. No way.’” Performed well at the Senior Bowl. From Waterford, Mich.
3. MICHAEL TURK, Oklahoma (6-0, 230, 4.80, 7): Punted at FCS Lafayette in 2017 (42.7 average) before transferring to Arizona State and sitting out 2018. Punted for the Sun Devils in 2019 before declaring for the draft, signing with an agent and competing at the combine. After not being drafted, he regained his eligibility from the NCAA in June 2020 after arguing that the pandemic hindered his professional chances. Subsequently, he transferred to Oklahoma amid Pac-12 pandemic issues, and punted for the Sooners in 2021-’22. Turned 25 in March. “He has a very powerful leg,” one scout said. “His A punt is as good or better than anybody’s but his C punt is as bad as anybody’s. There’s too many of those sprinkled in. He’s not as good directionally. He’s a gross motor skill punter that struggles with the directional, the finer points. He does hold. He’s married. I think he’s matured a lot.” His combined averages at ASU and Oklahoma were 47.3 (gross), 42.6 (net) and 4.21 (hang time). “He really has a strong leg,” one scout said. “Good get-off. Fourth round.” His uncle, Matt, made three Pro Bowls as an NFL punter for 17 seasons (1995-’11). Another uncle, Dan, was a long snapper for four teams over 15 years. Bench-pressed 25 times at the 2020 combine. From Dallas.
OTHERS: Ethan Evans, Wingate; Paxton Brooks, Tennessee; Adam Korsak, Rutgers.
LONG SNAPPERS
1. ALEX WARD, Central Florida (6-4, 242, 5.10, 7-FA): Backed up in 2017-’18, started from 2019-’22. “He’s the only one that has a chance to get drafted,” said one scout. “He’s a pro snapper in terms of velocity, size, ability to cover and being athletic enough. He can snap in the league for a decade.” Majored in mechanical engineering. “He’s the only one that really stood out,” a second scout said. “He’s got the size that you want … and decent speed. He’s consistently in the .76, .78 (second) range and they had their punter set at 15 yards, which is traditional NFL depth. He snapped accurate balls with quality velocity. I doubt he gets drafted.” Scored 36 on the Wonderlic test. “Very intelligent guy, very into school and on-campus clubs,” one coach said. “He has a lot of interests. I just worry if one of these days he could walk in and say, ‘You know what, coach. I just don’t really like this shit anymore. I want to go do something else.’ Makes me a little nervous, but it could be something with him.” From Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
2. CHRIS STOLL, Penn State (6-2, 255, 4.91, FA): Spent six seasons after arriving as a walk-on in 2017. “He does a solid job,” one coach said. “Just an average cover player. He’s a little slower to recover, slow to get his head up, which is something you have to be able to do to protect.” Four-year starter made four tackles in 48 games. “He had good velocity and accuracy,” said one scout. From Westerville, Ohio.
3. MATT HEMBROUGH, Oklahoma State (6-2 ½, 236, 4.95, FA): Redshirted in 2017, didn’t see action in 2018 and started four seasons. Finished with six tackles. “He’s a good candidate, for sure,” said one scout. “His accuracy is what separates him from most college long snappers. He puts it on the target every time. He’s a little smaller than you want him to be. Good player. He’ll be in a camp and have a chance to make it.” His father and three brothers played college football. “Can get down the field quickly covering punts,” a second scout said. “Good placement and velocity.” From Lisle, Ill.
OTHERS: Dalton Godfrey, South Dakota; Robert Soderholm, Virginia Military.
KICK RETURNERS
1. JAYDEN REED, WR, Michigan State (5-11, 189, 4.47): Eighty returns in all, including 42 kickoffs and 38 punts. “He’s one of the top punt returners and I also think he’s a solid kickoff returner,” one coach said. “He’s a little less as a kickoff returner. He’s a starter in both.” Saw regular duty returning punts in 2018, ’21 and ’22, finishing with a 15.3-year average and three touchdowns. Handled kickoffs from 2019-’21, averaging 20.0. “I thought he played better as a junior than this past year,” one scout said. “He is quick and can catch the ball. I liked him as a second-round pick going into the year but then the whole team stunk this year.” From Naperville, Ill. “He can do both, but better on punt returns,” said a second scout. “He had good vision and speed to at least contribute there.”
2. NATHANIEL DELL, WR, Houston (5-8 ½, 164, 4.45): Returned kickoffs only in 2021 and punts only in 2022. “He’s spectacular,” one coach said. “He’s just small. Really, really explosive as a punt returner. I don’t think you’d want him doing kickoffs just because of his size. He’s certainly a very exciting player as a punt returner. He’s inexperienced at it but he’s much better at (decision-making) than (Derius) Davis.” Returned 10 punts for 16.0 and one TD to go with 18 kickoff returns for 18.3. “That’s my favorite guy that I saw all year,” one scout said. “He’s tiny, and I hate little guys. But I’m telling you, this guy is a hell of a football player. He’s 165 pounds soaking wet at most. Size will always be his downfall. Is he tough? Yes. Is he football smart? Yes. Can he return punts? Yes. You’ve just got to be able to live with that size. He won’t get a whole lot bigger.” From Daytona Beach, Fla.
3. CHARLIE JONES, WR, Purdue (5-11 ½, 176, 4.42): Spent two seasons at Buffalo, three at Iowa and 2022 at Purdue. “He can make the first guy miss (on punts) but I don’t know if he’s a dynamic guy,” one scout said. “I’d label him more as a smart returner than a home-run guy. He’s tough, but he’s dinged up a little bit. His mental isn’t what it should be, either, so he needs reps. Older, undersized player that has medical concerns holds me back. What are you developing?” Returned 77 punts for 8.1 and one TD plus 45 kickoffs for 22.3 and one TD. “In 2021 at Iowa he was the Big Ten special teams player of the year,” said one coach. “He’s a nifty little punt returner. He did not have great production this year. You have to go back to his Iowa days to see his value. He’s a starting-level punt returner. Just because of his size he’s not great as a kickoff returner.” From Deerfield, Ill.
4. DERIUS DAVIS, WR, Texas Christian (5-8 ½, 167, 4.32): Brought back five of his 44 punt returns for TDs and one of his 52 kickoff returns for TDs. “I think he’s the best punt returner,” one scout said. “He’s the fastest player I saw on tape this year. Kind of a gadget guy. You’re not going to get a ton of wide-receiver value out of him right away but he is a top-tier NFL punt returner. He’s got a real feel for it. The juice is real.” Averaged 15.0 on punts and 22.0 on kickoffs. “Not quite as sure-handed as the top guys,” one coach said. “Has muffed some, and that’s my major concern. He’s another small guy that can really run and is really quick. He just drops the ball and makes questionable decisions too much.” From Saint Francisville, La.
5. MARVIN MIMS, WR, Oklahoma (6-0, 182, 4.39): Returned punts all three seasons. Saved his best for last, averaging 16.0 in 2022. In all, he returned 33 punts for 11.8 and three kickoffs for 36.0. “He doesn’t have any touchdowns but he’s been solid,” one coach said. “He catches the ball really good. That’s one of his big positives.” From Frisco, Texas. “Great kid,” one scout said. “Really good hands. Just not a top-end speed guy. But he’s quick and a good athlete. Maybe third round, but I like fourth round better.”
6. ARON CRUICKSHANK, WR, Rutgers (5-9 ½, 165, 4.63): Returned kickoffs for five seasons, including 2018-’19 at Wisconsin and the last three seasons for the Scarlet Knights. Brought back two kickoffs for touchdowns in both 2019 and ’20. In all, he returned 107 kickoffs for 24.0 and four TDs. Also returned 21 punts for 10.1 and one TD. Wasn’t invited to the combine. Clocked 4.63 at pro day. “He didn’t run a very fast time,” said one coach. “At 5-9, 165 that’s not good. But he has scored a lot. People will be scared of him because of his slow time. His production tells me he can run. He’s got multiple touchdowns, and a couple of them were called back. Didn’t have great numbers this year. It’s hard for me to believe he runs 4.6 and scored five times, and in the Big Ten.” From Brooklyn, N.Y.
7. TREY PALMER, WR, Nebraska (6-0, 192, 4.33): Saw regular duty as the kickoff returner at Louisiana State in 2020-’21 and as the Tigers’ punt returner in ’21. “He’s a little better punt returner than he is kickoff returner,” one coach said. Transferred to Nebraska in 2022. Finished with 27 punt returns for 8.3 and one TD and 18 kickoff returns for 25.3 and one TD. “He can run but that’s about where it ends for me,” one scout said. “There’s too much inconsistency on tape. I’d pass on him. He’s not that passionate about football. Just a fast guy.” From Kentwood, La.
8. TRE TUCKER, WR, Cincinnati (5-8 ½, 182, 4.36): Brought back kickoffs all four seasons. Had 67 in all for 24.9 and two TDs. His worst average (21.3) came in 2022. “He’s got explosive returns on kickoffs,” said one scout. “He does do punts, too, but he’s more of a kickoff returner.” Averaged 8.6 in a mere five punt returns. “Kickoff guy,” said one coach. “Really fast guy. Short and rocked-up, but fast.” From Akron, Ohio.
9. DeMARIO DOUGLAS, WR, Liberty (5-8, 180, 4.40): Regular on punts from 2020-’22 but returned kickoffs in 2022 only. “Kind of an interesting guy,” one scout said. “He’s a small guy but he was the first- or second-best kick returner I saw this year. Excellent speed and quickness. On punt return he had a lot of fair catches but the ones he did return you saw speed and quickness.” His 55 punt returns led to a 7.0 average and two TDs; his 17 kickoffs led to 21.6. From Jacksonville, Fla.
10. NIKKO REMIGIO, WR, Fresno State (5-9, 187, 4.57): Returned kickoffs for five seasons, including four at California and 2022 for the Bulldogs. “Good speed and toughness to hit the hole on kickoffs,” one scout said. “Assertive to the lane and good burst through the hole. Has enough wiggle to make one (tackler) miss as a punt returner. Tough, competitive kid. Plays with a chip on his shoulder.” Best year on punts was 2022 when he returned 13 for a 19.9 average and two TDs. Finished with 58 punt returns for 10.4 and 41 kickoffs for 25.1 and one TD. From Orange, Calif.
OTHERS: Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California; Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama; Parker Washington, WR, Penn State; Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina; Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan; Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M; Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh; Kearis Jackson, WR, Georgia; Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State; Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame.
THE SKINNY
UNSUNG HERO
Christopher Dunn, K, North Carolina State: He demonstrated exceptional accuracy in a five-year starting career for the Wolfpack, making 84.3% of his field goals (97 of 115) and all 200 of his extra points. His long was 53, and he made four of 10 from 50-plus. But, at 5-7 ½ and 175 pounds, there are concerns about his ability to handle a 17-game season and bad weather. “Plus, he doesn’t kick off effectively,” said one coach. “He’d be good if he could go to a team that has a punter who can kick off. That’s probably less than five.”
SCOUTS’ NIGHTMARE
Adam Korsak, P, Rutgers: Was good enough to be invited to the Senior Bowl and the combine. An Australian, he won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best punter. His rugby style, however, doesn’t fit in the NFL, and his efforts at conventional punting in Mobile came up short. “He never hit a spiral punt in college,” one coach said. “All he ever did at Rutgers was the scramble rollout rugby punting stuff. He has good numbers but it doesn’t equate to what we do here. He doesn’t carry over at all.”
SCOUT TO REMEMBER
Mike Hickey: He served as the New York Jets’ director of player from 1977 until late December 1989. That’s when Dick Steinberg took over as the team’s general manager and Hickey tendered his resignation. The Jets, who failed to make the playoffs from 1970-’76, qualified in 1981, ’82, ’85 and ’86 under Hickey. Previously, he worked as a scout under GM Bucko Kilroy in New England for six years. His father, Red Hickey, was coach of the 49ers from 1959-’63 and pioneer of the shotgun formation. He was a so-called super-scout for the Cowboys for 17 years after that. Hickey went into the insurance/financial planning business in Rhode Island, never working in pro football again.
QUOTE TO NOTE
NFL personnel executive: “Returners are born. They’re not made. Those little guys, they either got it or they don’t. They’ve done it their whole lives. You can’t just throw a guy back there (in the NFL) and get a returner.”
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Of course the best specialists are Michigan made. LOL. Seems to me Crosby or another NFL vet kicker will still be employed as GBP in 2023, although they will likely try to draft the Mich. kicker later in draft. As alwyas, thanks for the excellent work, Bob.
Just seeing the name, BJ Sanders reminded me of all the wasted draft picks of the Mike Sherman era.