2023 USFL College Draft: Three Players From Mountain West Selected, San Diego State Football: Three Questions For Spring Practice. He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. Gennaro Filice and Dan Parr rank each franchise's class, from No. 22 San Diego State at New Mexico, Structure of Manny Machados new contract leaves Padres room to add more big names, Spring training recap: Juan Soto stays hot, Nick Martinez earns extra work in rain-shortened Padres win, Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove fractures big toe in kettlebell accident; timetable for return tough to forecast, Column: Padres roller-coaster day includes Joe Musgrove injury, Manny Machado contract, Fernando Tatis debut, Februarys athletes of the month include CIF hoops and soccer champs, standout grapplers, David Benner, Indiana Pacers longtime PR director, dies, Panthers weighing options as quarterback hunt continues, Tennessee PG Zakai Zeigler suffers season-ending knee injury, Cadiz wants to halt Spanish league after refereeing mistake, Annecy stuns favorite Marseille to reach 1st French Cup semi, No. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. MORE:NFL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board of top 150 players, rankings by position. That was definitely my first love. Who failed to address serious needs? Araizas leg strength is remarkable; however, he will need to cut down on the power in certain instances to further achieve NFL success. Araiza, who began his career at San Diego State as a kicker, also converted 96 of 97 extra point attempts and 50 of 68 field goal attempts (73.5 percent), with a long of 54. Every coach will want to do their due diligence as far as timing his touch to toe operation and seeing how he does with a real NFL Duke ball. Only two punters since 1982 were drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft; Rohn Stark with the 34th pick in 1982 by the Baltimore Colts and Todd Sauerbrun with the 56th pick in 1995 by the Chicago Bears. Hand size 9 1/2 Is Brad Holmes' enthusiastic drafting paying dividends for the Lions? Not only did Matt Araiza launch a punt, but he also made the tackle (via @CBSSportsNet) #ForTheBrand | @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/r1BvgmKKjS. [1][2] The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season. What Matt Araiza did in college football was revolutionary from a position where it's tough to disrupt how the game is played. To put that in perspective, there were only six punts of 70 or more yards by every NFL punter combined last season. We were all kind of surprised. This is understood by several NFL football squads, which is why he has become a hot item on many teams big boards, chiefly the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. Brugler predicts Bellinger will be the second San Diego State player drafted (after Cameron Thomas). He was named to several First and Second All-American Teams by various national media outlets. The NFL Draft doesn't usually give us very many surprises when it comes to punting, but it came through with two big surprises on Saturday. San Diego State's Matt Araiza is putting punters on the map, and his scouting report reveals why he's a highly rated 2022 NFL Draft prospect. The San Diego State product has shot up draft boards (relatively) thanks to a season in which he set an NCAA record by averaging 51.19 yards per punt, eclipsing the record set by Texas A&M's Braden Mann in 2018. Several other three-round mock drafts have slotted Thomas from the first round to not listed. I never saw that coming. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Cornerback Tayler Hawkins accepted an invite to the Hula Bowl, which takes place on January 15 in Orlando, FL. From the aforementioned information, it appears that Araiza is an elite punting prospect. to gain some insight on how teams are evaluating the Aztecs enrollees as the draft process is set to begin. The announcers were astounded. I recognize that my train of thought may be different from the rest of the league. Being close to home as his popularity has grown during this season has also had a tremendous impact on Araiza. The question mark on him will be whether he has the athleticism and the speed to hold up against quick, interior rushers in the NFL, said Brugler. He doesnt overwhelm his opponent [as a blocker], but more often than not, he gets the job done.. March 25, 2022 5 min read. Unlike other positions, not many teams are looking to add a rookie punter to their team, let alone willing to draft a punter with a precious draft pick. Quarterbacks can put up gaudy stats because of their offensive scheme; wide receivers who dominate in college can look lost in the pros. Specialists often aren't taken until. 21, 54 and 85. at Araiza found a home at SDSU, not far from where he grew up. But Matt didnt have dreams of special teams stardom. Although the 40-yard-dash may not be a direct indicator of a players game speed, the fact that Araiza ran a 4.68 is notable in its own right. Plus Stetson and Duggan as Pros With Trent Dilfer (Bonus Episode). Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He has shown that he can line up on the inside shade of the guard, and he can win on the interior because he has that quickness, said Brugler. Angers cumulative yard per punt average in four years at California was 43.5, including a high of 45.6 in his junior season. But then came the 50-, 60-, 70-. The man they call 'Punt God' is going to be the first punter off of the board in the upcoming draft and could go as early as Day 2. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. EVT caught up with, Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst for The Athletic. A story of soccer to San Diego, from punter to Punt God. Kicking? H, es going to make stops at all different points of the field, said Brugler. February 28, 2023 6:16 pm SI NFL Draft Bible. And its not because its Jordan Stout. This season, hes put it to devastating use week in and week out. 11 overall in 1979 by the New Orleans Saints after being a kicker and punter in college. Right now, that involves training hard and recovering sensibly. Punters dont try to make highlights. Special teams coaches will want to see his mechanics, how quick hes able to transition, how the ball comes off his leg, the power that he has in person. A hundred percent, a hundred percent, said Araiza, who watched the draft from home with family and friends. I know what I bring to the NFL. It was awesome. Thomas will have a chance to separate himself from other edge rushers in his tier as the draft process unfolds with the combine and private team workouts to prove he belongs in one of the top 32 spots., A redshirt junior entering this season, Thomas quickly showed scouts he is a pro prospect with his play to start the season. Yes, thats right Araiza truly flipped the field for the Aztecs, changing the line-of-scrimmage from their own 11-yard-line to the 3-yard-line of the Spartans. The 21-year-old is a special teams star who won the 2021 Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in college football. Nonetheless, the "Punt God" is headed to the AFC East champions. Of the 27 punters drafted in the past 15 seasons, just six of these players have made a Pro Bowl these six punters only made one Pro Bowl each. There have been first-round punters in the past, most recently in 1979. Given the recent trends of where punters have been drafted, it would make sense for Araiza to be selected on Day 3 since only Bryan Anger has been taken before then in the past 15 years. Only two punters have been drafted in the second round: Todd Sauerbrun (Chicago, 1995) and Rohn Stark (Baltimore, 1982). And remember, the Big Punt wasnt even Araizas longest punt of the year. Aztecs head coach Brady Hoke recently said that Araiza is the teams MVP. The junior punter-placekicker from San Diego State is headed to the Buffalo Bills after being chosen Saturday with the first pick in the sixth round of the annual NFL Draft. Behind guard Max Rices 12 straight points at the end, host Broncos score the games final 14 in the final five minutes to stun Aztecs, Stats and storylines to watch on Tuesday night, when San Diego State takes on Boise State at ExtraMile Arena, San Diego State sits on the cusp of a No. Araiza knocked it out of the park, posting numbers comparable to some highly ranked prospects. According to Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus, 63 percent of Araiza's punts were downed inside the 20; another 27 were downed inside the 10. John Stark from Florida State made it into the second round, way back in 1982. I dont think Ive ever seen a ball travel like that before.. But at the very least, Araiza has ensured that pro scouts will look at him, which didnt happen for him coming out of high school. Twenty-nine percent of his punts went for touchbacks. It was something that Im going to be forever grateful for, and I hope to have that same effect on the next fan base, wherever I go. Hes quick to find the football, and hes always in pursuit mode.. 0 Rate. 16.0. In the past 22 years, there have been several third-round selections at punter. Arm length 30 1/2 At SDSU, Aguek Arop has left angels in his wake, There will never be another Aztec like Jesse Matthews, Padres Jackson Merrill keeps earning high praise, Samuel Zavala, rising prospect for the Padres, Broncos with a stellar second half to defeat Aztecs 66-60, Butler the hero as Aztecs stun Lobos, 73-71, Fred McGriff: 29 days until Padres Opening Day, San Diego Loyal sign Adrien Perez to aid attack. In the latest CBS Sports mock draft published this week, Ryan Wilson has the Chargers drafting Thomas with the 20th pick in the first round. Anger is the only punter chosen earlier than the fourth round since 2005. Although it is important to recognize that some of these punters have not had as many seasons as others theyve competed against, some believe a player like Araiza should be one of the top NFL punters immediately upon entering the league. In the case that his placekicks were returned, which was the exception and not the rule (84.93% touchback rate in 2021), he had an uncanny knack for then taking down the receiver, thanks in part to his high school track skills. You can go as far as your work ethic can take you. So, I think that was probably when I knew I had a shot.. Araiza had the seasons longest punt, 86 yards against San Jose State. Despite all the success on the football field for Rancho Bernardo, Araiza was largely overlooked in the 2018 recruiting cycle. Now that hes finally showing off his best skill, hes immediately emerged as a punting legend. . Of Araiza's 79 punts, 37 went for at least 50 yards; 17 went for 60 yards or more; six went at least 70 yards; and two went for 80-plus yards (no other punter had two punts of 80 yards). The dude has an absolute howitzer for a left leg, one that booted the ball 90 yards in the effing air on Saturday night in Hawaii. Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters. He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. But, thats not all Araiza can do. Punts in between the 30s (2021 only):Jordan Stout, Penn State (36 Punts)Inside 20 83%Inside 10 53%Touchback 6%Average Field Pos. But the San Diego State punter, nicknamed "Punt God" by Twitter and anyone that has seen his 80-yard moonshots for three seasons with the Aztecs, has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. Georgias Dominant Title Defense and a Curtain Call for the Ages, The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 1 Instant Reactions. He's expected to be one of the players chosen in the 2022 NFL draft next month. He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. Below are the top 10 highest-drafted punters in the history of the NFL draft: Of that group, Guy went onto become a Pro Football Hall of Famer; Stark was a first-team All Pro selection in 1983 and four-time Pro Bowler; Skladany was a 1981 Pro Bowler; Sauebrun was a four-time All-Pro selection, three-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL punt yards leader; Tupa was a 1999 All-Pro selection; and Anger was a 2021 second-team All-Pro selection, as well as the 2013 NFL punting yards leader. It isnt much of a challenge anymore. Apparently, NFL scouts focused their attention on other punters as well. April 26, 2022 7:52 am MT. He was the striker for his high school soccer team, banging home game-winning goals in playoff games. Matt Araiza is not your average NFL Draft prospect. . As a matter of fact, he already seems to be fully embracing his new team. Height 6 and 1 1/8 In his Mock Draft 1.0 released on November 30, 2021, Brugler slotted Thomas to the Dallas Cowboys with the 25th pick of the first round, adding, Thomas has been nearly unblockable this season for the Aztecs, currently leading college football with 72 pressures.. Except, maybe Araiza himself. Araizas ascension to the summit of his position and the attention that has come with it has been one of the storylines of the college football season. The earliest a punter has been selected over that period was the fourth round, the Niners selecting Mitch Wishnowsky. Something went wrong. The Jets and Giants put on quite a show, while a couple of marquee teams raised eyebrows. The Punter That Was Promised has arrivedwell be seeing his highlights for years to come. published this week, Ryan Wilson has the Chargers drafting Thomas with the 20th pick in the first round. Im excited for change. I know how I did at the Pro Day. , our 15th-highest-ranked prospect. This seems like a cute questionthe football equivalent of asking someone whether theyd eat the worlds grossest food for a million dollars. Per the report, police implicated Carter in street racing, which . Several other three-round mock drafts have slotted Thomas fro, m the first round to not listed. In the latest. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics. This is a statement of fact rather than a prediction. While Trenton Thompson has not been invited to either of the four end of season all-star bowl games, he will look to impress scouts throughout the draft process, starting with San Diego States pro day, annually held in March. In this graphic, there appears to be nearly no association between where a player was selected and his average AV per season. Waring caught 31 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns, almost identical to Bellingers final season. 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