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With great kicking comes great opportunity
Though Aggie fans are doubtlessly fond of him (for good reason), Dominik Eberle is a potential sleeper in this year’s NFL draft.
Eberle holds numerous school and conference records, including most individual career points scored at USU and most field goals made in Mountain West history with 64, ahead of Utah’s Louie Sakoda. He was a finalist for the Lou Groza award in 2017 and a semi-finalist in 2018.
Eberle also became just the sixth player in NCAA history to kick three 50-plus yard field goals in a game, a feat he easily accomplished against New Mexico State in 2018. Needless to say, he has a powerful leg.
Now that his college career has concluded, Eberle has set his sights on the NFL. Though there is not a consensus that he will get drafted, Eberle is a surefire bet for a solid undrafted free agent contract or at worst a tryout.
The New York Post has Eberle listed as the third-rated kicking prospect in this year’s draft, ahead of Wyoming’s Cooper Rothe. More than one source also have the New England Patriots interested in picking up a new kicker with the recent release of kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
In a recent interview, Eberle stated he is just looking for opportunity:
“…I just got to go out there and do my job. I mean there are so many tremendous guys out there that, you know, all it takes is an opportunity and that’s what I’m working for.”
WALK. IT. OFF!
🎯 @theDEbbz#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/oVVsaxjngl
— USU Football (@USUFootball) November 10, 2019
Strengths
Throughout his career, consistency has been Eberle’s biggest hallmark. A three-year starter for the Aggies, the Nuremberg, Germany native made all 167 PATs out of 167 attempted. In his senior season, he went 21 of 24 on field goal attempts, good for 12th in the country. Consistently producing at a high level should not be an issue for him if an NFL team gives him a shot.
Weaknesses
For all the good points Eberle has, he does have a couple of areas he could stand to improve. In close range, he’s made most of his career kicks. Beyond short and intermediate kicking range, Eberle has struggled a bit more. His made kicks from the 40-49 yard range an uninspiring 19-of-28 field goals
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