Iowa City just might be morphing into the punting capital of the world.
That makes sense for a program and fan base that prints and proudly dons “Punting is Winning” t-shirts.
Fresh off Tory Taylor’s Ray Guy Award-winning season, the Iowa Hawkeyes appear to have found their next great punter. Reports out of Iowa’s fall camp can’t stop raving about freshman punter Rhys Dakin.
The 6-foot-4, 225 pound freshman is from Melbourne, Australia, and he can really boom it.
Dakin put on an impressive display during Kids’ Day at Kinnick and the expectation is that he will only continue to get better and refine the nuances of his game.
247Sports is among those buying early stock in what Dakin will bring to the Hawkeyes. Dakin was tabbed to 247Sports’ preseason true freshman All-American team.
There might not be bigger shoes to fill nationally than Tory Taylor at Iowa. He was a multi-time All-American and often a get-out-of-jail-free card for the Iowa offense. Iowa went back to Australia to find his replacement, and the early word on Rhys Dakin this offseason has been strong, though I’m sure that Iowa fans would like to see less of him in 2024 than they did Taylor last year. – Chris Hummer, 247Sports.
Dakin has consistently turned heads throughout his abbreviated time in Iowa City, and, at Iowa, his role will be a pivotal one.
The Hawkeyes have made a history and a habit of pairing defense and special teams with just enough offense to perfection. Dakin’s leg could prove to be another valuable weapon in the third phase of the game for Iowa in 2024.
“It’s awesome to come to a place where people actually appreciate punting,” Dakin said recently.
At Iowa’s Media Day, Dakin discussed his best distance and hang times so far.
“I had a couple of 60-yarders today. I’ve kicked one I’m going to say 65 probably, like confirmed. My best hang time is a 5.7, so definitely take pride in my hang time,” Dakin said.
Though he’s been mistaken for Tory Taylor a few times in Iowa City already, fans can trust that won’t last for long.
247Sports joins USA TODAY Sports in the preseason pub for Dakin. Dakin was tabbed to USA TODAY Sports’ list of instant impact freshmen.
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