Cole Tracy kicking for Assumption.
Last week it was widely reported that the Patriots and kicker Stephen Gostkowski can't agree on money. While I don't necessarily think that means that the Patriots are going a different direction this year, it's still fun to look at what is out there should they part ways with their all-time leading scorer.
Matt Gay collecting hardware.
Cole Tracy- LSU- Very few kickers get drafted into the NFL. It's looking like Cole Tracy may be that guy this year. Tracy had one season on the big stage at LSU and he made it count. He was perfect with extra points and made 88% of the field goals he attempted. Of his 4 misses, 2 were from beyond 50 yards. Prior to this season, Cole was playing division II ball down the road at Assumption College. After a rough junior season, Cole turned things around for his final season as a Greyhound. In his senior campaign at Assumption he was a perfect 67 for 67 on extra points and nailed 27 of 29 field goals. They say timing matters a lot with kicking, this marketing major appears to have timed everything just right for a chance in the NFL.
Matt Gay- Utah- At 25, Matt's road to the NFL is an interesting one. Here is the short version. Was a really good soccer player and played two years of college soccer. This soccer stint at Utah Valley came after spending time nursing a torn up knee and attempting a two year mission trip. His two year soccer stint was broken up by another mission trip. He tried to walk on at BYU and they said no thanks. He then walked on at Utah and subsequently kicked 4 field goals to lead the Utes against BYU. He has a huge leg and as a former soccer player can also punt it pretty well. Accuracy isn't perfect once the yardage hits 40+, but he's perfect for PATs and has only one miss under 40 yards. With the capabilities of legitimately splitting the uprights at 70 yards, he probably won't be a walk-on at the NFL level.
John Baron II- San Diego State- John's entire collegiate career was in the game of football at San Diego State. The three year starter is 135 for 137 in PATs and 50 for 60 in field goals. While he was a perfect 4 for 4 in attempts over 50 yards this year, he was only 8 for 11 from 30-39. The fact that John is a lefty kicker may limit his pool of suitors.
John Baron II- San Diego State- John's entire collegiate career was in the game of football at San Diego State. The three year starter is 135 for 137 in PATs and 50 for 60 in field goals. While he was a perfect 4 for 4 in attempts over 50 yards this year, he was only 8 for 11 from 30-39. The fact that John is a lefty kicker may limit his pool of suitors.
Kristov Martinez celebrating a record.
While those three kickers are on everyone's radars, here are two originals.
Kristov Martinez- Texas A&M Commerce- Martinez isn't likely to be on any draft boards and probably isn't likely to suit up for another football game in his career. Although he made 3 50+ yarders this season, set the division II record for most points scored by a kicker, and ran for "infinity" yards per attempt his junior year, Kristov probably won't even get a sniff of the NFL. While his numbers aren't as great as some of the other players, his stature is the real nail in the coffin. Standing at 5'6" and 135 pounds doesn't exactly scream NFL kicker. Of course being told he was too small to play college soccer is what led to him playing college football, so maybe he does stand a chance.
Bennett Moehring- Navy- He's a decent kicker who played for Navy. We all know how Belichick loves to give those Midshipmen a chance. Unfortunately for Moehring, former Defense Secretary, Mike Mattis, wrote a memo two years ago which requires graduates of service academies to serve their country immediately after graduation regardless of their athletic ability. I've reached out to both Moehring and Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan about this ban. Moehring did say that he would definitely want to play in the NFL if given the chance. Shanahan has not responded to my inquiries about overturning the memo.
Kristov Martinez- Texas A&M Commerce- Martinez isn't likely to be on any draft boards and probably isn't likely to suit up for another football game in his career. Although he made 3 50+ yarders this season, set the division II record for most points scored by a kicker, and ran for "infinity" yards per attempt his junior year, Kristov probably won't even get a sniff of the NFL. While his numbers aren't as great as some of the other players, his stature is the real nail in the coffin. Standing at 5'6" and 135 pounds doesn't exactly scream NFL kicker. Of course being told he was too small to play college soccer is what led to him playing college football, so maybe he does stand a chance.
Bennett Moehring- Navy- He's a decent kicker who played for Navy. We all know how Belichick loves to give those Midshipmen a chance. Unfortunately for Moehring, former Defense Secretary, Mike Mattis, wrote a memo two years ago which requires graduates of service academies to serve their country immediately after graduation regardless of their athletic ability. I've reached out to both Moehring and Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan about this ban. Moehring did say that he would definitely want to play in the NFL if given the chance. Shanahan has not responded to my inquiries about overturning the memo.
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