Now that the college football season is over, and the NFL draft declaration are more or less done for Ohio State, we’re giving you an early look we lead up to the 2021 NFL draft. We’ll be providing breakdowns of all the Buckeye football players that will be eligible to be taken at the highest level and will then have even more closer to all the fun in April.
For our next draftee breakdown, we look at kicker Blake Haubeil. While some may ask why scout a kicker, some NFL teams have had kicking issues and could be looking to upgrade their tenuous position. Most kickers do not get drafted, but some will go in the late rounds. Haubeil has the potential to be a very late-round pick.
Haubiel did not play in the national championship game due to a lingering groin issue, and while the medicals will need to be researched, it did not appear a serious enough injury for Haubeil to not be considered for an NFL team. Groin issues can linger, but he should be fine when teams watch him kick this offseason.
Haubiel was perfect on extra points this season and missed only two of the seven field goals he attempted this past season. His groin issues probably had more to do with the misses than his technique. He has a strong leg and has made a 55-yard field goal with relative ease and has a 61-yard field goal to his credit in high school. He consistently kicks the ball deep and out of the end zone on kickoffs, displaying his leg strength for the next level.
Haubeil has good follow through on his kicks, and keeps his shoulders square and lined up. I did not notice and stutter steps or false steps at any point and his approach is comfortable and steady. His approach has a good pace and his plant is strong.
Blake Haubeil drills a career-long 55-yard field goal to cap a 31-point first half for @OhioStateFB. pic.twitter.com/uCMEWpFf8N
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) October 19, 2019
The cons to Haubeil will be the medical follow-ups and some eyeballs on his two misses this year. He is a big kicker which will help on kickoff coverage, although should his groin be an issue he may need to lose some weight if his approach is compromised which could alter his leg strength. Haubeil is not the best kicker in this draft but has one of the strongest legs. He could go in the seventh round, but will no doubt get a shot with a team at least as an undrafted free agent.
Ohio State football player 2021 NFL draft declaration tracker
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