Here's a fun hypothetical ...
We missed out on Townsend, who signed with hometown Florida.
Sure - Basil or Epitropoulis can punt ... but if a spot were to open up through attrition (transfer, medical), should we take a punter? Who do you think we should take?
There's still several good unsigned punters out there according to Scout and 247:
Scout - http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=4&pid=36&yr=2013
1 Jimmy Hutchinson
(Harrison HS)
Kennesaw, GA 6-2/175 Auburn lean
5 Dean Crozier
(St Peter's College)
Adelaide, South Australia 6-7/240 Rutgers, UTEP
9 Jonathan King
(Farragut HS)
Knoxville, TN 6-1/160 Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee
10 Tyson Kruse
(Australian Institute of Sports)
Canberra, Australia 6-2/195 Utah
JC Eric Camarillo
(Mesa)
Mesa, AZ 6-2/175 Utah State
247 Sports - http://247sports.com/Season/2013-Football/RecruitRankings?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&Position=P
1. Jimmy Hutchinson
6. Shane Tripucka
Hutchinson is the #1 rated punter in the country by both bureaus.
Crozier is a project, but you can't teach 6'-7" / 240lbs !!
I think they mold someone already on scholarship. We have a team full of athletes, I can't believe there aren't a few who won their local punt pass and kick as a kid. I'm actually surprised that more colleges(or even NFL teams) don't teach offensive weapons to punt. I'd live with 35-40 yard punts in exchange for a 4.4 40 and the constant fake threat.
Funny but Townsend was a 4.4 guy
Hell, yes. I always thought Tressel was on the right track about the significance of the punt (maybe not THE most important play, but damn important). Take a true punter.
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx
I think there is a walk on Gene was talking about on twitter.
~Because we couldn't go for three~
If another spot opens up I would take Corn Elder. He is still unsigned.
Dean Crozier: Six Feet Seven Inches! 270 Pounds! DO WANT. I don't even care if he is good I just love giant sized kickers. Plus we can keep up with Minnesota's newest recruit Ryan Santoso.
Wow, that looks like it could be Jerry Kill's love child. "Quit staring at my headgear stan!"
Dustin Fox was our leading tackler as a corner.... because his guy always caught the ball.
Great topic. I say, yes, especially if that Hutchison kid is really that good.
Here is a good article on the Townsend situation. Interesting angle regarding roster space:
"As far as those that continue name-checking a hard roster ceiling of 82, they pretty much without exception also have failed to mention that it doesn't go into effect until summer practices begin."
SHIT WELL THERE YA GO THAT'S THE ANSWER I WAS WAITING FOR ALL NIGHT. It finally makes sense now.
I know that people keep on saying that everyone can punt but that just isn't realistic or easy to do. Now maybe that receiver who's name I can't spell can do it because he did it in college but I would want him to be actually good because if we get into a tight game field position is extremely important.