Tag: uga special teams

Georgia specialist is highest graded player at his position in CFB

Georgia’s punter has been an absolute weapon this season

Georgia Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson is the highest graded punter in college football. Thorson has an overall grade of 94.2, per Pro Football Focus, and is averaging 4.64 seconds of hang time on his punts, which is highest in the country.

The junior punter from Melbourne, Australia, has punted 22 times this season. Thorson is averaging an impressive 48.3 yards per punt and has a long of 58 yards. There’s no doubt that Thorson is a weapon for the Georgia special teams.

Thorson did not have punt returned during the 2023 college football season. This year, he has had a few punts returned, but the Bulldogs have not allowed any lengthy returns.

Thirteen of Thorson’s 22 punts have been downed inside the 20. The Bulldogs took advantage of winning the field position battle against the Texas Longhorns and set up the UGA offense with several short fields. Thorson had his best game of the season against the Longhorns. He averaged 54 yards per punt against Texas.

Previewing Georgia football’s special teams

Who will be Georgia’s starting kicker, kick returner, and punt returner?

The Georgia Bulldogs lost 2022 SEC special teams player of the year kicker Jack Podlesny to the NFL this offseason. The Bulldogs are looking for a new starting kicker.

Georgia fans know very well that an entire season can come down to one kick or one special teams play. The Bulldogs should have excellent special teams coverage units due to Georgia’s stockpile of talent.

Who will be Georgia’s starting kicker, punter, long snapper, kick returner, and punt returner for the 2023 college football season?

Georgia football player card: K Jared Zirkel

Georgia Bulldogs kicker Jared Zirkel will be a key player to watch next season. He went to the same high school as Johnny Manziel.

Jared Zirkel, Kicker:

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-3

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Kerrville, Texas

High School: Tivy High School

Georgia Bulldogs kicker Jared Zirkel will be a key player to watch next season. The incoming freshman is expected to takeover Rodrigo Blankenship’s role as starting kicker.

Zirkel came to Athens as a three-star recruit. He’s regarded as one of the top kicker prospects in the class of 2020. In addition to kicking, Zirkel gained some experience as a punter in high school. He additionally made a career long field goal of 59 yards at Tivy, which is also the high school of SEC legend Johnny Manziel.

Zirkel was on a high school team that didn’t need him much. He only attempted six kicks as a senior at Tivy. Over 90% of his kickoffs resulted in a touchback as a junior.

Zirkel will compete with Brooks Buce for the starting job next season.

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Georgia football player card: K Brooks Buce

Brooks Buce, Kicker (No. 97): Class: Junior Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 pounds Hometown: Johns Creek, Georgia High School: Greater Atlanta Christian Georgia Bulldogs kicker Brooks Buce played high school football at Greater Atlanta Christian before …

Brooks Buce, Kicker (No. 97):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Johns Creek, Georgia

High School: Greater Atlanta Christian

Georgia Bulldogs kicker Brooks Buce played high school football at Greater Atlanta Christian before coming to the University of Georgia. Buce walked on at UGA in 2017. He’s been the back-up kicker in both 2018 and 2019.

Buce has attempted six kickoffs in his career with five of them resulting in touchbacks.

Buce was the number two kicker last season. He’ll compete with Jared Zirkel, Jack Podlesny and more to fill Rodrigo Blankenship’s role next season.

It’s unfortunate for players like Buce that G-Day was canceled in 2020. He’ll look for more game opportunities in the upcoming season.

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