Tag: Adam Korsak

Adam Korsak talks Canadian Football League opportunity, new Rutgers punter Flynn Appleby

Adam Korsak talks CFL contract and the development of Flynn Appleby.

Last week, former Rutgers football punter Adam Korsak signed a deal in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It was a solid development for Korsak, who also went to two NFL rookie minicamp in May.

Korsak, who won the Ray Guy Award last year as the nation’s top punter, goes to the CFL with a legacy at Rutgers as the best ever in program history at the position. In fact, the argument could be made that Korsak is the best player Rutgers has ever had, regardless of position.

That certainly makes him difficult to replace, which is what Flynn Appleby is aiming to do. Like Korsak, Appleby is a fellow Australian. He redshirted last season to add strength, work on his punting and learn the nuances of a game that is still very new to him.

Appleby is a former standout in Australian Rules Football, a sport that has little in common with American football.

“Flynn is an exceptional person and talent. He is going to have a great career and contribute to a lot of wins for the team over the next few seasons. I admire his ability to come from Australia and adapt so quickly and proud of the way he has carried himself,” Korsak told Rutgers Wire.

“Prokick Australia did a great job of preparing Flynn Appleby and (kicker) Jude McAtameney. Personally, I am looking forward to being with the team again towards the end of this fall.”

As for Korsak’s current opportunity with the Roughriders, this is an important chance for him to take another step towards his professional career. The CFL is well known for developing kickers and punters who often use the league as a developmental step before signing with the NFL.

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Korsak, in his final season at Rutgers, had 75 punts and averaged 44.0 yards per punt.

He finished his time in college football as the NCAA’s all-time leader in punting attempts (349) as well as yardage (15,318).

“It is a tremendous opportunity. I have enjoyed the fellas on the team as well as the coaching staff so far,” Korsak said of signing with the CFL.

“I’m looking to do my best and be the best teammate I can be.”

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Former Rutgers football punter Adam Korsak set for two NFL rookie minicamps

Adam Korsak will be attending two NFL rookie minicamps this summer.

Adam Korsak will head off to two AFC teams for rookie minicamps this summer as he looks to catch on with an NFL team.

The winner of the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter last year, Korsak will go to the rookie minicamps for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source confirms. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston was the first to report the information.

Korsak surprisingly went undrafted after a season where he was the best punter in college football by a wide margin. Last season, Korsak had 75 punts and averaged 44.0 yards per punt.

His Rutgers career sees him finish as the NCAA’s all-time leader in punting attempts (349) and yardage (15,318).

The Chiefs certainly found success with Rutgers football recently. Isiah Pacheco, a seventh round pick of the Chiefs last year out of Rutgers, was arguably one of the best players to be taken in the NFL draft last year.

In 2022 as part of a Chiefs team that won the Super Bowl, Pacheco had 830 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 170 carries. He also contributed on special teams.

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In a Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Pacheco ran for a touchdown in the second quarter.

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How did former Rutgers punter Adam Korsak develop his punting style?

Former Rutgers punter Adam Korsak represented Rutgers football on Good Morning Football, discussing the development of his punting style.

On Saturday, undrafted free agent punter Adam Korsak represented Rutgers football on Good Morning Football, discussing the differences between American and Aussie Football and how he developed his punting style.

Korsak has achieved legendary status at Rutgers and among the NCAA, holding the NCAA record for most punts and punting yardage. He earned an invite to the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl and a trip to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

When asked how he developed this unconventionally punting style, Korsak spoke about how it comes naturally.

“It is natural. That’s what we do. We punt it and how we grew up, throwing the football with your dad or whatever, we punt the ball back and forth. It is natural for us. Obviously, I have to change a little bit due to the rules,” Korsak told the audience.

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Korsak is from Melbourne, Australia, where he grew up playing cricket, Australian football, and golf. When asked which football is more difficult to play, Aussie football or American football, Korsak explained the preparation for American football makes it harder to play than Aussie football.

“From a preparation standpoint is harder to play American football because of the coaches here have you for two weeks and their game planning for so long. As for Austria football, it is a bit of a free for all,” Korsak stated.

According to Pro Football Network, Korsak was the No.1 punter in this year’s draft class, but the former Scarlet Knight is patiently waiting to join an NFL team to showcase his skill at the highest level.

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Rutgers football: Former Aussie Rules star Flynn Appleby’s transition to the Big Ten made easier by Adam Korsak

Flynn Appleby is settling in with Rutgers football.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — A season of acclimation has set up Rutgers football punter Flynn Appleby for this spring. The past year to learn from a legend, the Australian punter says, is invaluable.

The legacy of Australian kickers at Rutgers dates back to Tim Gleeson, who was one of the nation’s best punters in 2015 when he averaged 40.3 yards per punt. In the last five seasons, Rutgers has been fortunate to have Adam Korsak as their punter, giving them a truly elite advantage on special teams.

And now Appleboy takes over for Korsak, who won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter last year. He shares some similar attributes to Korsak which helps the transition process on multiple levels.

“I think it was part of the recruiting process looking for someone that sort of had similar attributes to Adam and we’re pretty similar in style – the skill set and that sort of stuff,” Appleby said.

“So, everybody’s got their own little different aspects of their technique and so it’s just understanding that and trusting it – just been refining that for the last eight months probably since I got here. It’s been a great process to learn all that. It’s a whole new sport to understand the rules and all that sort of stuff as well. So it’s been been a great time.”

A former Australian Rules Football player, Appleby has had to learn the American game, making last year an important period of immersion into the sport.

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Gleeson was one of his mentors, helping to train Appleby on the ins and outs of the American game.

“I played Australian football – AFL – for three years, playing full time there and didn’t play quite well enough in my final year and moved to like a semi-professional league and played a year there,” Appleby said.

“And I was looking to further my education as well – not studying in Australia at the time but wanted to change degrees. And, you know, I was really still sort of had a thirst to pursue some professional football or at least continue in sport and I knew a couple of people that have come over in the past from Australia over the last 10 years. Prokick Australia has done a great job getting guys over here. So just through different connections, had a had an idea of coming over and reached out to Prokick and I was probably there for about 10 months, I think. I just spent time with them learning about the game. Really I was just looking for a new opportunity.”

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With change in his punting style, Adam Korsak looks to be consistent at Rutgers Pro Day

Rutgers punter Adam Korsak showcases his style at the recent Pro Day.

Adam Korsak is learning to adjust his punting style for the NFL, this ahead of April’s NFL draft. The standout Rutgers football punter is making progress in getting his technique ready for NFL teams.

Last season, his final at Rutgers, saw Korsak average 44 yards per punt with 43.6 net yards per punt. Regardless of position, he is arguably the best player ever in Scarlet Knights history.

In his final season at Rutgers, he won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter.

Saying that his goal “is to be as consistent as possible,” Korsak punted last week at the Rutgers football Pro Day. It was another opportunity for Korsak to build on his performance at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in February where he showcased his pro-style punting.

He was able to showcase the differences to the game including the not so-subtle changes to te form that made him one of the best punters in college football history.

“At the Reese’s, that was the first time I was in that pro formation stuff. Having the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday practices and then the game – it was a kind of a quick week,” Korsak told reporters last week following Pro Day.

“But I learned so much doing that. Again, a tremendous opportunity …It’s such a different skill because the drop is so different. It’s a pro-style drop where you drop from your hip compared to the Australian drop where you’re dropping it much lower, kind of from around your knees.”

 

Last month, Korsak had three punts for 107 yards in the Senior Bowl. The most important stat for most NFL talent evaluators is that two of the punts landed inside the 20-yard line.

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Rutgers P Adam Korsak excited by former teammate Isiah Pacheco’s NFL success

Rutgers P Adam Korsak told @EdEastonJr that seeing Isiah Pacheco’s success with the #Chiefs in the NFL has provided inspiration for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers punter Adam Korsak is arguably the greatest punter in school history, setting multiple records in his five years in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Australian native was honored with the 2022 Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate punter.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Korsak about his respect for former Rutgers teammate Isiah Pacheco. He also discussed adjusting to the NFL style of punting.

“So excited for Isiah. He is such a tremendous person,” said Korsak. “We enrolled together in January 2018. And seeing him progress as a player and as a person off the field was great. You know, (he’s) such a great dude. So excited for him, and he deserves it. Yeah, I saw him at the basketball game the other night at Rutgers, and always great to catch up with him. So yeah, you know, it gives us inspiration. And again, he’s just such a tremendous person.”

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Korsak is one of many Australian-style punters who have worked their way to the NFL. Since 2020, Korsak has served as a captain of the Scarlet Knights, which is a rare accomplishment for a punter. He shared the captain role with Pacheco during his tenure.

“Yeah, so obviously, I bring that Australian skill set, and I’ve got to try to showcase what I can do with the American foundational stuff this Friday, and (I’m) very excited to do that,” said Korsak. “It’s something I’ve done for a long time. I just haven’t been able to show it from what we’ve done in our scheme, but now if you look in the NFL, the Australians that are utilized in the NFL do a good mix of both, and you know, I think I think it can be very effective. Again, I’m excited to show it, work with some teams over the next couple of months before the draft, and get some exposure.”

 

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Adam Korsak is heading to the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl

Rutgers punter Adam Korsak will play in the Senior Bowl.

For Rutgers football, the 2022 campaign has been full of ups and downs. After starting the season 3-0, they have gone 1-7 in their last eight games. One bright spot through the wins and losses has been  punter Adam Korsak. Earlier this week, Korsak received special recognition.

News broke the day before Thanksgiving that Korsak would be participating in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl. During the 2022 season, Korsak has been one of the best players at his position in college football and a crucial weapon for the Scarlet Knights.

In 11 games this season, the talented punter has 65 punts for 2,855 yards. He is averaging 43.9 yards a punt, and his longest one this season has gone for 77 yards. The ‘Aussie Assassin’ has built on his success from last season, he has added to his accolades.

On November 21, Korsak was named a Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalist. He went 150 punts this season without a touchback and is a two-time punter of the week award winner. With his participation in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, he will get to display his talent on a national level.

While the Bowl isn’t until February, Korsak has something to look forward to beyond the season finale this Saturday against Maryland. It also gives Rutgers fans a date to highlight.

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What one Rutgers football player did James Franklin say is one of the best players they’ll face all season?

James Franklin praised Adam Korsak’s final season at Rutgers.

James Franklin named one Rutgers player one of the best his program will face all season, and it is none other than the ‘Aussie Assasin.’

Adam Korsak, considered one of the top punters in the country, is having another tremendous season for Rutgers. Of his 53 punts in 2022, Korsak has landed 26 punts inside the 20-yard line. He is averaging 44.3 yards per punt.

For Rutgers, he has been a tremendous asset throughout his time with the program. Saturday against Penn State will represent Korsak’s final game at SHI Stadium of his college career.

Speaking during his weekly press conference, Franklin praised Korsak’s ability and his versatility in punting styles.

“Their punter is, I think, one of the more impressive players that we’ve played this year regardless of position. Finished second in the Ray Guy Award last year,” Franklin told reporters this week.

“This guy is one of them Aussie punters that can do it rolling to his right, rolling to his left, traditional from the pocket. He’ll run with it if you’re not containing him. He’ll hold on to the ball so the coverage units can cover down. He’ll pin you deep. They’re not always the big, beautiful spiraling, high-hang time punts. A lot of times they’re line drive low ones that hit the ground and run. He is a difference maker and a problem from Melbourne, Australia.”

Korsak and the rest of the outgoing senior class will be honored on Saturday as part of Senior Day.

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(h/t to Jimmy Gill, Rutgers associate athletic director, for the tip on Franklin’s comments)

Rutgers football’s Adam Korsak named Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week

Rutgers football punter Adam Korsak wins weekly award.

They might as well just rename it the ‘Adam Korsak Punter of the Week.’ The Rutgers football punter again being recognized as the nation’s top player at his position.

It is the second straight Ray Guy Award weekly honor for Korsak, and the second time this season overall.

Last season, Korsak was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter. It appears that the Rutgers senior is making a rather significant statement to win the award outright this season.

Korsak had 256 yards of punting on five punts in Rutgers football’s loss at Minnesota on Saturday. He had a season-best 77-yard punt against Minnesota, showcasing his ability to switch the field effectively for the defense.

 

With the loss, Rutgers is now 4-4 (1-4 Big Ten) and they face Michigan on Saturday at SHI Stadium (7:30 PM ET, Big Ten Network).

On the season, Korsak is averaging 44.4 yards per punt. Of his 41 punts, Korsak has landed 20 of them inside the 20-yard line.

 

Watch: Adam Korsak provides Rutgers football’s only highlight of the afternoon

Rutgers football punter Adam Korsak had another strong outing for the Scarlet Knights.

It was not an easy afternoon for Rutgers football as the Scarlet Knights endured a difficult afternoon in a 31-0 loss at Minnesota.

But Rutgers has Adam Korsak, which means at least one ridiculous punting effort each game. Win or loss. Rain or shine.

That is the Korsak way.

Korsak’s most memorable effort at Minnesota came in the second quarter. From midway into his own endzone, Korsak received the snap and ran, almost appearing like a fake punt for a moment. Then at the five-yard line, he pushed out a right-footed kick that bounced and rolled to perfection.

The ball landed on the Golden Gophers’ own 15-yard line. It was a masterful punt from Korsak to say the least and his longest punt of the season.

 

Korsak finished with five punts for 256 yards. Two of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line and he did not have a touchback.

Last week, Korsak was named the Ray Guy Award’s best punter of the week. A finalist for the honor last season, the Ray Guy Award is given to the nation’s top punter.

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