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. 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. In the fourth round, Baltimore selected Penn State Punter Jordan Stout with the 130th overall pick. The Sporting News breaks down everything you need to know about Araiza's record-breaking season in 2021, and the elite group of punters he hopes to join who managed to leverage their collegiate career into high draft picks: Despite Araiza's incredible 2021 season, he is not expected to be among the highest-drafted punters of all time. In the past 22 years, there have been several third-round selections at punter. The 1979 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. 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. A kicker or punter has never finished in the top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting, but thats just because they fashioned the statue after a guy running instead of a guy punting. That was somewhat of a goal. Araiza could have pursued soccer as a career. That was a huge honor, Araiza said. Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters. Didnt see the second one and my agent called me. Former Saints punter Thomas Morstead recently explained to the Athletic why that's a concern. Middle Tennessee State punter Kyle Ulbrich is . Please enter a valid email and try again. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. 8 min read. How Far Can This Version of James Harden Take the Sixers? Bucky Brooks highlights 10 perfect rookie-team fits from the 2022 NFL Draft. A hundred percent, a hundred percent, said Araiza, who watched the draft from home with family and friends. 12.0Matt Araiza, SDSU (48 Punts)Inside 20 63%Inside 10 27%Touchback 29%Avg. 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. County of San Diego; State of California; Federal . For his career, Araiza averaged 51.1 yards per punt. All these coaches have an opinion of their own and like to make their own decisions, Araiza said. 180 overall pick in the sixth round on Saturday. He was named to several First and Second All-American Teams by various national media outlets. And remember, the Big Punt wasnt even Araizas longest punt of the year. Vertical jump 32 He is exceptional on fourth down, averaging 51.2 yards per punt in his most recent season. Another attribute teams love about Thomas is his versatility to play up and down the line of scrimmage. In the latest. https://t.co/mIr2tYt8LT. The Aztecs are playing for the Mountain West title Saturday and Araiza was going to have a big role again. At some positions, NFL teams can struggle to identify the best players. He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. Anger is the only punter chosen earlier than the fourth round since 2005. Achieving a historic 12-win season and earning a spot in the final College Football Playoff Top 25 Rankings brought many advantages for the San Diego State Aztecs. He is also highly accurate as a punter, with 37 of his 79 punts (46.8%) landing inside the opponents 20-yard line in 2021 against just 15 touchbacks. 11 overall in 1979 by the New Orleans Saints after being a kicker and punter in college. But I know there are other players in the league who are told to just bang the ball as far as they can down the field, and the team is going to cover. San Diego State ranks seventh in overall special teams FEI, which takes into account all aspects of special teams. Despite all the success on the football field for Rancho Bernardo, Araiza was largely overlooked in the 2018 recruiting cycle. Hes averaging 54.0 yards per punt, which would smash the NCAA and NFL records51.0 in college and 51.4 in the NFL, the latter set by Slingin Sammy Baugh in 1940. The previous year, he punted five times for 249 yards, averaging 49.8 yards per punt. Hes a talented guy who should help with winning the field position category., However, just like any other special teams prospect, Coach Maalouf believes the San Diego State product should be worked out by coaches. in this draft class last month and says teams view him as a second-round prospect. However, his pass-blocking steadily improved throughout the final ten games of the season, and he finished with a 73.3 pass-blocking grade. John Harbaugh is a former special teams coach and he has a better eye for punters and kickers than any other head coach in the NFL, so if he wanted Stout, you can bet he liked his punting style more than he liked Araiza's booming style. Sprint draft legal and classic sprint distance triathlon held at Mission Bay and Fiesta Island . Yet, Araiza went and nailed an 86-yard punt and an 81-yarder in consecutive games against San Jose State and Air Force. San Diego. Hes hit 14 punts of at least 60 yards, two shy of the NCAA record for the most in a full seasonand the Aztecs still have at least five games to go. See college football stories in your feed, Araiza set a new all-time Football Bowl Subdivision record for yards per punt averaging 51.19 yards per punt, passing Texas A&M. San Diego State punter Matt Araiza is unlike anyone who has ever played the position before. He was named to several First and Second All-American Teams by various national media outlets. They try to be consistent, perfecting their motion so its the same every time. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. In addition to his record-setting punting, he's drilled three 50-yard field goals, second most in college football, and has the fourth-longest average kickoff distance (65.0 yards). Stout was one of the top punters in this year's class and it wasn't a total shocker to see him become the first punter taken. . Will another aggressive draft by Mickey Loomis pay off for the Saints? After Stouts selection was announced, an ESPN broadcaster said: Not many things surprise me in the draft because you expect unpredictable things. Labeled the "Punt God," Araiza set an NCAA record with a 51.2-yard average on his punts in 2021. The Raiders drafted him with the 23rd pick in 1973. Matt Araiza had two punts of more than 80 yards last season, including an 86-yarder that was the longest punt in college football.He might be able to punt a football from San Diego to Buffalo. Thomas, a redshirt junior who earned his degree this December, accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl and will look to showcase his top-tier talent to NFL teams. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. We have an 86 yard punt EIGHTY SIX (CC @RKalland) pic.twitter.com/KIi5d3VTTO. Araiza also boomed an 86-yard punt last season, which was the longest in college football. Something I hadnt really told anyone yet is if my professional football career ends and I still have a bit of gas in the tank, Im going to go out and try to play semi-pro soccer somewhere. And what's up with the Commanders' value assessment? When it comes to punters, the bigger surprise is that the Buccaneers took Camarda over Araiza. Welcome to Buffalo, @Matt_Araiza! But the biggest question about Harden remainsand it wont be answered until the playoffs. Hes big. Only two punters have been drafted in the second round: Todd Sauerbrun (Chicago, 1995) and Rohn Stark (Baltimore, 1982). 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., Thomas won the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year afte. Hes going to make stops at all different points of the field, said Brugler. I have a way bigger fan base because my Moms a teacher in the school district I grew up in. 40-yard time 4.68 seconds The first two punters went off the board in the fourth round with the Ravens selecting Jordan Stout and the Buccaneers taking Jake Camarda. Yet, hed only punted in one game prior to this season. Youd think the players at Air Force would be used to dealing with airborne projectiles, but the punt returner just watched as the ball flew over his head. His broad jump of 10 1 was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including Aidan Hutchinson, David Bell, Isaiah Spiller, Brian Robinson Jr., and Trey McBride. For context, two Pro Bowl punters are named each year, leaving about an 20% clip of the Pro Bowl punters in the last 15 seasons being players who were drafted. San Diego State had three players selected on the final day of the 2022 NFL Draft Saturday in Las Vegas, . But colleges dont scout kickers based on who makes the most high school field goals; they scout guys who come recommended by kicking coaches, who often assess only players who paid to go to their camps. Ray Guy, the only punter in the Hall of Fame, was drafted No. The more you can do to justify a roster spot is the motto of the NFL, said Brugler, adding that teams may feel more comfortable drafting a punter in the fourth or fifth round if they know the punter also has a penchant for touchbacks on kickoffs. We have a ton of connections and basically a ton of people rooting for me on Saturdays which was really fun.. When I originally went out for the football team, it wasnt to be a kicker. He now holds the record for single-season punt average, with 51.19 yards per punt. SIGN UP NOW: $1,000 risk-free on FanDuel Sportsbook! Certainly, a benefit for Araiza is his ability to also excel at kickoffs and handle place-kicking duties if necessary, providing more reason to use a middle-round pick on the Ray Guy Award winner. published this week, Ryan Wilson has the Chargers drafting Thomas with the 20th pick in the first round. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) By . EVT caught up with Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst for The Athletic, to gain some insight on how teams are evaluating the Aztecs enrollees as the draft process is set to begin. Will the Cowboys' big gamble pay off? I grew up playing three on three on this tiny indoor field, and thats kind of where my love for soccer and sports started. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Will Deadly January Car Accident Tank Jalen Carters Draft Stock? Who does Brady Hoke think is the MVP of the undefeated @AztecFB ?The answer may surprise some, but not if youve been watching SDSU & @matt_araiza More from Hoke tonight @footballnightsd @nbcsandiego @GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/6Vh3f56Ms7. Will Malik Willis develop into a high-end QB for the Titans? Lets take a look. He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. He doesnt overwhelm his opponent [as a blocker], but more often than not, he gets the job done.. 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