Three specialists off to hot starts
We’ve begun to see which players took advantage of the downtime over the spring and summer months. While the touchdowns and tackles garner most of the headlines, several kickers and punters have displayed talents that could land them a spot…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve begun to see which players took advantage of the downtime over the spring and summer months.
While the touchdowns and tackles garner most of the headlines, several kickers and punters have displayed talents that could land them a spot on a college roster. Here are three names to keep an eye on moving forward in 2020.
Kaleb Speights, K, 2021
Cass H.S.
Through his team’s first three games, Speights has been one of its biggest weapons. The senior has connected on each of his eight field-goal attempts so far this season with a long of 45. Twice in three games, Speights has made three field goals in a game and 16 of his 18 kickoffs have reached the end zone for touchbacks.
Rated a 4-star by Kohl’s Kicking, Speights may have slid under the radar up to this point. He holds one offer from NAIA Trinity International University and should garner additional attention for the remainder of this recruiting cycle.
In the kicking category, Speights is possibly one of the biggest sleeper recruits in the state.
— Kaleb Speights (@speightskaleb) September 19, 2020
Joel Stahl, K, 2022
Cherokee H.S.
Stahl earned a starting spot this offseason, beating out a returning incumbent, and has proven his worth so far this fall. Stahl is perfect on the season — 3-for-3 on field attempts and 13-for-13 on extra points — and has kicked seven of his 19 kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks. Stahl’s long this year on field goal attempts is only 23 yards, but he has the leg to make anything inside 50 with ease. I’d expect more chances on longer field goals and increased recruiting attention as well.
Thankful to receive an invitation to the 2020 KickingWorld National Showcase in Austin, TX! @KickingWorld @WarriorsCHS @coachofwarriors @soccercherokee pic.twitter.com/LFVeU7yX63
— Joel Stahl (@joelstahl81) September 21, 2020
Steven Zurita, K/P, 2021
Sequoyah H.S.
In his first season a full-time starter, Zurita has shown flashes of brilliance. A recruit from the soccer field, Zurita’s natural leg strength has been praised by coaches during the preseason and has continued into the regular season. Currently 3-for-4 on his field goal attempts with a long of 49, Zurita has as excelled in the punting category as well with a 41.6 average (long of 54) which leads Cherokee County. Nine of his 14 kickoffs have reached the endzone and he certainly has the baseline skills to kick at the next level.
Been hearing about this kid @StevenZurita8
Nails a 49 yard FG here
11:24 left in 2nd@SequoyahChiefs 10@WarriorsCHS 7 pic.twitter.com/8JZr2iWWWT
— Patrick O'Shea (@Patrick_J_OShea) September 12, 2020