I believe we received a verbal from the lower ranked kicker first, 2 stars on rivals, verses 3 stars for the second kicker. Am I mistaken or doesn't the highest ranked one, kick and punt too? Does anyone believe we extended the offer to the first and then wished we hadn't when the 2nd guy gave us a verbal? We have both 2 punters and 2 kickers returning for next year according to the depth chart. I just can't see using 2 scholarships a year on these guys unless they were both exceptional, for instance ranked #1 and 2 in the nation in kicking and punting and they are not.
Andrew Crutchfield (3-stars) is ranked by Rivals as the #3 kicker in the nation. It is rare for a kicker or punter to be awarded much more than three stars. We offered them because a team needs them just like we need other players. We don't stop recruiting for linemen just because we have a couple waiting in the wings. A good kicker/punter has often been the difference in the outcome of a close game.
What Rivals ranks them is irrelevent. The coaches had them ranked at the top of their list. I trust their ability to judge talent well above Rivals'. They are 2 different types of kickers. Chris Jackson is a senior & will be leaving. Ryan Gaudet hasn't been very good except pooch kicks and Colt David is only good for close range field goals.
Please elaborate on "they are 2 different types of kickers". Is one that much better at punting, for example. Is one much more accurate at short kicks. Are we using one for kickoffs only because he has a high percent of unreturnable kickoffs? I just don't recall us offering 2 schollys two kickers in the same year, but I may be totally wrong.
We did it in 03. One does kickoffs & one does punts - not sure which one, but one of them does fieldgoals as well, Crutchfield I believe.
I know Crutchfield is ranked high and I am very pleased we are getting him. I am just surprised we offered the second guy because he is not ranked as high. Crutchfield also punts and unless I'm mistaken his average is comparable to the other recruit in punting also. That is why I am a bit surprised we are offering anyone other than Crutchfield.
I know its difficult to fathom signing a kicker over a fantastic athlete. I too cringe at that thought. Think about it though, kickers are very important. Take Florida for example. They have no kicking game at all. The putting game is also very crucial in a defensive conference like the SEC. I forgot his last name, but Donnie, who punted for the '03 team always boomed punts, getting LSU out of bad field position. I pointed to Florida, but if LSU came down to a kick, I wouldnt be too confident with either of our current kickers.
Thanks, I needed the reassurance. I know Crutchfield has kicked some long range fieldgoals. I see in 2003 we were ranked first in kicking by rivals. It does verify that getting 2 kickers is the exception not the rule though as the vast majority of teams had only one kicker signed.
We haven't lost any because of kicking lately, but I remember winning a few because the other team's kicker couldn't hit FG's. I can't remember what team it was that we played last year at Tiger Stadium that missed quite a few. We probably would have lost, but he missed about 4 and I believe we won in overtime. Do you remember who we played?
Auburn, and their kicker is really good. He missed 5 that game, but they were long range and it was a windy night. LSU also missed 2 or 3 as well as dropping 2 touchdown passes.
