Michigan looking at graduate transfer punter from Weber State

Submitted by BlueCube on

Michigan is looking at Austrailian punter Blake O'Neill who would be a graduate transfer. He played one season with Weber State.

Link

DrMantisToboggan

January 31st, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^

6th in FCS in punting last year, which would have been good for 15th in FBS. His spread/aussie style is what our (renowned) ST Coach Baxter was going to implement anyways. Such an important and under-appreciated aspect of the game, great special teams will keep teams with a first year QB and a good defense in every game.

Michology 101

January 31st, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^

Even though they lost, Alabama’s punter looked real dominate in that playoff game against OSU.

People can downplay it, but a great punter can be a game changer.

If this guy is really good, then I hope we get him.

mGrowOld

January 31st, 2015 at 12:59 PM ^

So does this mean the end of manball-punts?

Personally I prefer traditional punting where you the punter back there on his own and tell him to simply kick the ever-loving shit out of the ball. Kick it as far and as high as you can-nine of this mamby-pamby rugby shit and then it's fucking ON!

Our ten against their eleven and may the best special teams win!

Yooper

January 31st, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^

than giving a four year scollie to a marginal player, even if it's only a one year deal. A great punter can turn one or two games, especially the Aussie guys who can drop the ball inside the five

SeattleWolverine

January 31st, 2015 at 2:52 PM ^

Yep. Even though we dont have too many schollies, this is looking like a tiny class with some spots left over, especially after things shake out over the coming months with the inevitable attrition of injuries/transfers etc. After signing day, I wouldn't be surprised if we hear that we are adding a few more 2nd tier grad transfers from elsewhere. Basically just throwing a few warm bodies at next year and hoping that you get something out of it and there is no long term cost since it's effectively a one year scholarship. I'd rather we do that than tie up more scholarships in 4 year guys who are unlikely to play.

There is the financial cost too I guess but no big deal. And probably a wash as much of that $ would have gone to walk-ons if it was still open.

JHendo

January 31st, 2015 at 1:16 PM ^

+1 to everyone that mentioned Men at Work on this thread.  I was humming the song as I was clicking the link to view the thread, so it was reassuring to see that I wasn't alone.

LSAClassOf2000

January 31st, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^

It could be more than this, but the Ivies don't offer athletic scholarships, I believe. Most of the rest of FCS teams have 63 scholarships for football that they can potentially divide among 85 players, so a fair number of players may be on partials. It's an interesting difference between FBS and FCS really.