Punter this year?

[bythelake]

Doesn't our punter graduate this year? 

[WildRazorback]

I think we still have Blake Johnson on the roster. He was a very highly rated punter out of California. I believe he was booked for 'urinating in public' because he was intoxicated (under age) his first year here, but I haven't heard much since.   

[factchecker]

You are correct.  Toby Baker is/was a senior.

His replacement is Blake Johnson.  He is on scholarship. I think he has struggled with accuracy (keeping it in bounds) but he has a strong leg.

[DLUXHOG]

Toby was awesome this year...

[Razinhail]

He looked good this year in limited action. Only punted twice, but he punted for 46 and 48.

[bennyl08]

He looked good this year in limited action. Only punted twice, but he punted for 46 and 48.

Beat me to it.

[Ramboar]

Believe Blake was number 1 or 2 punter in the nation out of high school.

[MS_HogFan]

I believe he was booked for 'urinating in public'

Is that wrong?

[code red]

Is that wrong?

Agreed....good thing its not enforced on gameday.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

We're not gonna punt next year.  Frees up a scholly for another linebacker prospect!

[ricepig]

We're not gonna punt next year.  Frees up a scholly for another linebacker prospect!

Yep, I brought Bret my latest metrics, and they showed we should go for it on every 4th down. Also, look for Bret to be in shorts for every game.......

[longtimeHogfan]

I believe he was booked for 'urinating in public' because he was intoxicated...

Hey, when you're a guy the whole outdoors is your bathroom.....

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Yep, I brought Bret my latest metrics, and they showed we should go for it on every 4th down. Also, look for Bret to be in shorts for every game.......

If it meant a win, I'd buy the guy a thong to wear on the sideline...

[longtimeHogfan]

If it meant a win, I'd buy the guy a thong to wear on the sideline...

The image of that is going to stay with me all day.  Thanks a lot.

[Pigsknuckles]

You are correct.  Toby Baker is/was a senior.

His replacement is Blake Johnson.  He is on scholarship. I think he has struggled with accuracy (keeping it in bounds) but he has a strong leg.

I understand that every punter will occasionally shank one, or miss a coffin corner attempt, but to struggle to keep it in bounds? The field is 160 feet wide. I hope this isn't a chronic issue.

[Hoggish1]

Hey, when you're a guy the whole outdoors is your bathroom.....

Excellent way to provide nitrogen to your garden!

[DeltaBoy]

Excellent way to provide nitrogen to your garden!

LOL

[FANONTHEHILL]

There is no doubt that Toby will be missed.  He will punt at the next level and is a unique talent.  That being said, Blake is a solid punter, but had a few struggles in practice last season.  He will be fine.  The "keeping it inbounds" stems from a shank in phractice that went over the wall and into Razorback road once last fall. It happens. Blake should be ready.

Another option could be Austin Allen.  Austin was actually listed in the punting depth chart last fall.  Near midfield, lining up to run a play and dropping Austin back for a squib or quick kick keep defenses honest and limits their return ability.  Fayetteville did this with a lot of success when he was there as well.

[SamBuckhart]

There is no doubt that Toby will be missed.  He will punt at the next level and is a unique talent.  That being said, Blake is a solid punter, but had a few struggles in practice last season.  He will be fine.  The "keeping it inbounds" stems from a shank in phractice that went over the wall and into Razorback road once last fall. It happens. Blake should be ready.

Another option could be Austin Allen.  Austin was actually listed in the punting depth chart last fall.  Near midfield, lining up to run a play and dropping Austin back for a squib or quick kick keep defenses honest and limits their return ability.  Fayetteville did this with a lot of success when he was there as well.

Good idea.

[RedyorNot]

There is no doubt that Toby will be missed.  He will punt at the next level and is a unique talent.  That being said, Blake is a solid punter, but had a few struggles in practice last season.  He will be fine.  The "keeping it inbounds" stems from a shank in phractice that went over the wall and into Razorback road once last fall. It happens. Blake should be ready.

Another option could be Austin Allen.  Austin was actually listed in the punting depth chart last fall.  Near midfield, lining up to run a play and dropping Austin back for a squib or quick kick keep defenses honest and limits their return ability.  Fayetteville did this with a lot of success when he was there as well.

Now that's an interesting thought. Have they ever actually run that in practice?

[bennyl08]

Now that's an interesting thought. Have they ever actually run that in practice?

I remember Mallett doing it at least once.

As for Baker definitely playing at the next level, I am very confident he'll be in camp with some team, but actually winning and holding onto a starting job is very difficult. Kickers often play into their forties meaning job openings are small. Teams also value the experience in a special teams player. Breeding was a very good punter for us recently too and he didn't make a roster. This season, Baker had arguably one of the best seasons for a punter we've ever had; however, it wasn't ridiculously better than some other punting seasons (Breeding and the aussie guy, his name escapes me right now). However, Baker has the best chance we've seen in a while. Just noting that there's a fair amount of luck in making it as a special teams kicker.

[PorkSoda]

There is no doubt that Toby will be missed.  He will punt at the next level and is a unique talent.  That being said, Blake is a solid punter, but had a few struggles in practice last season.  He will be fine.  The "keeping it inbounds" stems from a shank in phractice that went over the wall and into Razorback road once last fall. It happens. Blake should be ready.

Another option could be Austin Allen.  Austin was actually listed in the punting depth chart last fall.  Near midfield, lining up to run a play and dropping Austin back for a squib or quick kick keep defenses honest and limits their return ability.  Fayetteville did this with a lot of success when he was there as well.

might come in handy if he rolls out on a fourth down attempt and there is no one open.  he could just kick it away instead of throwing it away.

[hogcard1964]

You can tell it's downtime here. 

Punters...

[PorkSoda]

I remember Mallett doing it at least once.

As for Baker definitely playing at the next level, I am very confident he'll be in camp with some team, but actually winning and holding onto a starting job is very difficult. Kickers often play into their forties meaning job openings are small. Teams also value the experience in a special teams player. Breeding was a very good punter for us recently too and he didn't make a roster. This season, Baker had arguably one of the best seasons for a punter we've ever had; however, it wasn't ridiculously better than some other punting seasons (Breeding and the aussie guy, his name escapes me right now). However, Baker has the best chance we've seen in a while. Just noting that there's a fair amount of luck in making it as a special teams kicker.

what ever happened to skinner?

[factchecker]

the aussie guy, his name escapes me right now).

Sam Irwin Hill

[FANONTHEHILL]

might come in handy if he rolls out on a fourth down attempt and there is no one open.  he could just kick it away instead of throwing it away.

That was the standard 4th down when he was at Fayetteville High.

[bphi11ips]

Good idea.

QB's were often the punter also through the 60's.  George Blanda and Steve Spurrier are good examples.

[bphi11ips]

There is no doubt that Toby will be missed.  He will punt at the next level and is a unique talent.   

Hang time is going to be the issue at the next level. 

[Seebs]

We will not be forced to punt next season.

[deedster84]

QB's were often the punter also through the 60's.  George Blanda and Steve Spurrier are good examples.

Danny White was the last one I remember doing it full time.

[ThisTeetsTaken]

what ever happened to skinner?

[bennyl08]

http://www.arpreps.com/from-shank-to-saint-a-visit-with-jacob-skinner/

Skinner is a HS basketball coach.

[Hawgzilla]

Skinner was Basketball Coach at Texarkana, Texas High School last I heard..

[goodguytex]

Skinner was Basketball Coach at Texarkana, Texas High School last I heard..

Skinner is a really great guy. Btw, Ryan Malletts Dad JimMallett is an assistant football coach at Texarkana, Texas high as well.