Hes quick to find the football, and hes always in pursuit mode., Another attribute teams love about Thomas is his versatility to play up and down the line of scrimmage. r collecting 20.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks this past season. The signing bonus in that spot last year was $240,152. Draft doings The Chargers will arrive at the combine still armed with their original seven picks one in each round in the upcoming draft. One theory on why he fell is because he's never held for extra point or field goals. As for Araiza, the Bills could potentially be getting a steal with their selection of the player known as "Punt God.". Bellinger recently signed with JB Sports, Inc., the same agency that represents San Francisco 49ers tight end, George Kittle. Yet, Araiza went and nailed an 86-yard punt and an 81-yarder in consecutive games against San Jose State and Air Force. No wonder the "punt god" is generating NFL draft buzz. Gennaro Filice provides draft grades for each NFC West team. San Diego State punter Matt Araiza is no ordinary prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. . His worse pass-blocking grade came the next week against Towson, registering a 34.3 grade on 26 passing opportunities. 21 UCLA women top ASU in OT in Pac 12 opener 81-70, Irving senses Mavs urgency in new star pairing with Doncic. In the past 25 years, the highest-drafted punter was Bryan Anger, selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 70th pick in the 3rd round. Araiza shattered the all-time record of 32 punts of 50 or more yards in a single season, by achieving 39. Bellinger began training with Jeremy Holt, Owner of AthELITE Performance, yesterday in Music City, USA, along with tight ends Chase Allen (Iowa State) and Jake Ferguson (Wisconsin) in preparation for the NFL Draft. San Diego State hosts Fresno State on Saturday night. SIGN UP NOW: $1,000 risk-free on FanDuel Sportsbook! It wasnt surprising that San Diego State punter Matt Araiza lasted until the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, where the Buffalo Bills chose Araiza. 22 San Diego State at New Mexico, Structure of Manny Machados new contract leaves Padres room to add more big names, Spring training recap: Juan Soto stays hot, Nick Martinez earns extra work in rain-shortened Padres win, Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove fractures big toe in kettlebell accident; timetable for return tough to forecast, Column: Padres roller-coaster day includes Joe Musgrove injury, Manny Machado contract, Fernando Tatis debut, Februarys athletes of the month include CIF hoops and soccer champs, standout grapplers, David Benner, Indiana Pacers longtime PR director, dies, Panthers weighing options as quarterback hunt continues, Tennessee PG Zakai Zeigler suffers season-ending knee injury, Cadiz wants to halt Spanish league after refereeing mistake, Annecy stuns favorite Marseille to reach 1st French Cup semi, No. If he passes those criteria while youre working him out and he hits the Duke well, able to turn the ball over, then yes, you check off the boxes., Once a special teams coach feels comfortable with Araizas ability, the coach may want to suggest the rest of the front office look into acquiring him in the draft. Yet, hed only punted in one game prior to this season. San Diego States Matt Araiza is having the greatest punting season in college football history. Apparently, NFL scouts focused their attention on other punters as well. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. But Matt didnt have dreams of special teams stardom. It was not an issue in college, where everyone at the line can release downfield after the snap. I remember seeing a hypothetical at some point in the past few years: If you were an NFL general manager, would you use a first-round draft pick on a magical punter who could pin every single punt within the opposing 5-yard line? Kicking? Yes, thats right Araiza truly flipped the field for the Aztecs, changing the line-of-scrimmage from their own 11-yard-line to the 3-yard-line of the Spartans. But since 2000, nobody has gone higher than Bryan Anger, who was picked 70th by the Jaguars in 2012. He was named to several First and Second All-American Teams by various national media outlets. We have a ton of connections and basically a ton of people rooting for me on Saturdays which was really fun.. in this draft class last month and says teams view him as a second-round prospect. Although there's some concern that Araiza's booming punts could lead to him outkicking his coverage, San Diego State seemed to do just fine covering his punts. I have started watching San Diego State games specifically to see Araiza punt. I dont think Ive ever seen a ball travel like that before.. I know my personal traits as an athlete, as a football player, as the leading tackler of a top 25 special teams unit. All the more impressive, the 2021 season was Araiza's first taking on full-time punting duties for the Aztecs. Defensive end Cameron Thomas was chosen in the third round by Arizona and tight end Daniel Bellinger went in the fourth round to the New York Giants. Its a loaded defensive end class, Brugler said. !, the nickname Araiza was given during his record-breaking 2021 season. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego is known worldwide as one of the best tourist destinations and a great place for residents to relax year round. Of Araiza's 79 punts, 37 went for at least 50 yards; 17 went for 60 yards or more; six went at least 70 yards; and two went for 80-plus yards (no other punter had two punts of 80 yards). I saw the first one (when Stout was selected). Angers cumulative yard per punt average in four years at California was 43.5, including a high of 45.6 in his junior season. Although drafting a punter often indicates this player will be the unquestioned starter, the position simply is not at a premium where the best at the position and an average player are not too far apart from one another. On Wednesday, Georgia police announced a warrant for Carter's arrest on suspicion of reckless driving and racing. In the season opener against New Mexico State, Araiza boomed a 77-yarder. The 2022 NFL Draft is in the rearview. Early success formed a catalyst for what was to come later. And starting this fall, San Diego State also tasked Araiza with doing the thing that he was put on this earth to do: punt the football. Since NFL defenses vary their fronts constantly, Thomas versatility to play inside or outside will give him a boost to climb teams draft boards. He is also highly accurate as a punter, with 37 of his 79 punts (46.8%) landing inside the opponents 20-yard line in 2021 against just 15 touchbacks. Marc Ross spotlights 10 rookies set up for success in the 2022 NFL season and beyond. Being close to home as his popularity has grown during this season has also had a tremendous impact on Araiza. Copyright 2019-2023. In the NFL, only two players can release, so additional time to get downfield is significant. Matt Araiza is one of the more fascinating prospects of the 2022 NFL Draft which is saying something, considering he's a punter. A fifth-round selection for Araiza would not be particularly noteworthy in the history of punters taken in the NFL draft. Gennaro Filice provides draft grades for each NFC North team. Pro Football Network, LLC. 23 overall by the then-Oakland Raiders in 1973. Araiza found a home at SDSU, not far from where he grew up. John Harbaugh is a former special teams coach and he has a better eye for punters and kickers than any other head coach in the NFL, so if he wanted Stout, you can bet he liked his punting style more than he liked Araiza's booming style. It was definitely a cool experience.. San Diego State ranks seventh in overall special teams FEI, which takes into account all aspects of special teams. Only two punters have been drafted in the second round: Todd Sauerbrun (Chicago, 1995) and Rohn Stark (Baltimore, 1982). That was a huge honor, Araiza said. Every front office in the NFL may have Araiza at a different spot on their boards come the last week in April, but the standout college special teams player should hear his name called during the 2022 NFL Draft. Araiza is the highest drafted punter in program history and third Aztec punter selected in the NFL Draft, following Mike Saxon in 1984 (300th pick) and Wayne Ross in 1988 (315th pick). Former Eagles President and Browns CEO Joe Banner gave his take on how he would approach this unique prospect. One other theory is that teams are afraid Araiza might outkick his coverage in the NFL. His, was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including. All four players have the talent to compete and excel at the next level. There are times where he gets crossed up in pass protection, and his feet get a little stuck in the mud, something Brugler saw on tape against Utah and Arizona, two Power 5 opponents the Aztecs played this year. Of course you would use a first-round pick on the Punter That Was Promised. Certainly, a benefit for Araiza is his ability to also excel at kickoffs and handle place-kicking duties if necessary, providing more reason to use a middle-round pick on the Ray Guy Award winner. This last selection is commonly referred to as, List of 1990s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com, List of 2000s Hall of Fame Inductee's at profootballhof.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1979_NFL_Draft&oldid=1142347380, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 22:29. Hand size 9 1/2 April 26, 2022 7:52 am MT. As a field goal kicker, his completion percentage went down each college season. to gain some insight on how teams are evaluating the Aztecs enrollees as the draft process is set to begin. He visited Buffalo years ago on a family vacation and is thrilled to return, even if it means purchasing a heavier jacket. The first two punters went off the board in the fourth round with the Ravens selecting Jordan Stout and the Buccaneers taking Jake Camarda. As a matter of fact, he already seems to be fully embracing his new team. John Stark from Florida State made it into the second round, way back in 1982. He has shown that he can line up on the inside shade of the guard, and he can win on the interior because he has that quickness, said Brugler. Will another aggressive draft by Mickey Loomis pay off for the Saints? SOMEONE GET ME A TABLE!! Bill Belichick has a notable fixation on left-footed kickers. Matt Araiza, Punt God of the 2022 NFL Draft, The Ray Guy Award caps off an unprecedented season, Staying at home for college, and making an impact on San Diego, Next Page: From struggles to NFL Draft ascension. In his Mock Draft 1.0 released on November 30, 2021, Brugler slotted Thomas to the Dallas Cowboys with the 25th pick of the first round, adding, Thomas has been nearly unblockable this season for the Aztecs, currently leading college football with 72 pressures.. Brugler predicts Bellinger will be the second San Diego State player drafted (after Cameron Thomas). We're not controlling field position.' The Mandalorian Season 3 Premiere Is a Slick Reminder of What Makes Mando Work, What We Learned From Testing, and a Bahrain GP Preview. But Araiza has a rocket launcher for a leg, so for him consistency is making highlights. All Rights Reserved. Only two punters since 1982 were drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft; Rohn Stark with the 34th pick in 1982 by the Baltimore Colts and Todd Sauerbrun with the 56th pick in 1995 by the Chicago Bears. Hes a talented guy who should help with winning the field position category., However, just like any other special teams prospect, Coach Maalouf believes the San Diego State product should be worked out by coaches. Georgia police have secured a warrant to arrest highly-touted draft prospect Jalen Carter, according to a report from Seth Emerson. Something I hadnt really told anyone yet is if my professional football career ends and I still have a bit of gas in the tank, Im going to go out and try to play semi-pro soccer somewhere. Welcome to Buffalo, @Matt_Araiza! I know how I did at the Pro Day. With the 2022 NFL Draft in the books, Adam Schein breaks down what he loved and loathed from the league's Vegas venture. The former San Diego State punter didn't get selected until the Bills made him the first pick of the sixth round (180th overall). Nonetheless, the "Punt God" is headed to the AFC East champions. I remember having some coaches pull me to the side and told me, Hey, if you take football seriously, with your leg you have a lot of potential. Brugler praised Thomas lateral quickness and constant effort to get to the ball. The success of a hometown kid has had a significant impact on the community, and for all the nicknames, memes, and hilarity it brings, the San Diego State punter has also provided inspiration for a younger generation. EVT caught up with, Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst for The Athletic. Sorry, I cantPunt God is playing Fresno State on CBS Sports Network at 10:30 p.m. But being at San Diego State for four years, really living it, it made me laugh that I even considered going anywhere else. This reinforces the significance of gross versus net punting averages. Brugler assesses that Araiza, the top punter in the draft, will likely be a Day 3 draftee (rounds four through seven) and could go early in Day 3 depending on how impressive he performs during team workouts. It was just to play football, to branch out as an athlete.. He. With the new changes to the touchback rules, pretty much every kickoff is a touchback. In this graphic, there appears to be nearly no association between where a player was selected and his average AV per season. Although Araiza saw plenty of action at San Diego State, he might not see the field much in Buffalo. As mentioned before, Araiza is incredibly versatile and can help the special teams unit in an impactful way. Araiza projects as a punter, because thats where hes setting records, and because hes a lefty. By Ted McGovern He's boomed multiple 80-yarders . That motor really helps him frequently make tackles away from the line of scrimmage that a lot of defensive ends just dont make. The number of seasons for each punter includes every season where at least half of a season was played. Bellingers seasonal production did not overtly scream NFL caliber tight end, finishing 2021 with 31 receptions for 357 yards and only two touchdowns. That was something I never saw coming. The Aztecs are 7-0 and have the nation's 5th-ranked defense with a potent rushing offense. Also, a higher average yards per punt does not always mean better sometimes you want to directionally punt, so this can be misleading. But how have other drafted punters panned out in the NFL? The Punt God is averaging far more yards per punt than Anger did his senior year. You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop. That was probably the year that started all this momentum towards success on the football field.. I know how I did at the combine. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career. To put that in perspective, there were only six punts of 70 or more yards by every NFL punter combined last season. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? His big brother saw it on a random field in San Diego, and he set records as soon as he started to kick in high school and college. Hes hit 14 punts of at least 60 yards, two shy of the NCAA record for the most in a full seasonand the Aztecs still have at least five games to go. They attend expensive camps and begin perfecting their form. I remember talking to my friends and family about it really early on, How cool would it be to even just be a finalist? It was a cool progression to make, visualizing it in the beginning and then it becoming a reality was an honor.. While a lot of kids growing up dream of playing in the NFL, at that time it wasnt even a consideration for Araiza. Using AV from Pro-Football-Reference, this somewhat normalizes the impact of a punter on his team. This is the most yards per punt a player has ever averaged in a single NCAA season, illustrating his sheer dominance. Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. But he still wasnt punting. And opponents often have to go 90 yards against that incredible defense, because of Araizas amazing punts. While that makes him significantly less employable as an NFL kickerif a righty kicker gets hurt, teams would never reach out to a lefty for tryouts, since its complicated to have a holder relearn how to get the snap down in reverseit makes him significantly more employable as a punter, as its believed that lefty punters put reverse spin on the ball that makes it tougher to catch. Field Pos. See college football stories in your feed, Araiza set a new all-time Football Bowl Subdivision record for yards per punt averaging 51.19 yards per punt, passing Texas A&M. Not only has he shown his prowess as a punter, but Coach Maalouf adds he kicked off as well and was good at it. Brugler praised Thomas lateral quickness and constant effort to get to the ball. At the time, a young Araiza couldnt have imagined becoming a national punting icon. against San Jose State in October. This, surprises me. The Commanders might have found their future starting QB when they took Sam Howell in Round 5 -- but he wasn't the only potential gem in the 2022 NFL Draft. Araiza in 2021 booted 79 punts for 4,044 yards for an NCAA-record 51.18 yards per punt. He's hit more 60-yard punts this year than anyone ever. Just three years ago, another Aztec tight end with limited production in his collegiate career, Kahale Warring, was drafted by the Houston Texans with the 86th pick (3rd round) in the NFL Draft. But if the Aztecs go undefeated, and Araiza remains their most valuable player, shouldnt he get something more? An all-around special teams contributor, the 2021 unanimous All-American had kickoff duties for San Diego State. 21, 54 and 85. Although it is important to recognize that some of these punters have not had as many seasons as others theyve competed against, some believe a player like Araiza should be one of the top NFL punters immediately upon entering the league. He had an excellent showing in the combine, punting with stunning accuracy before impressing attendees with his sprinting. EVT caught up with Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst for The Athletic, to gain some insight on how teams are evaluating the Aztecs enrollees as the draft process is set to begin. According to PFF, Dunkle registered a 38.0 pass-blocking grade and committed two penalties against Arizona and a 55.6 grade against Utah the following week on 18 pass opportunities in each game. Though the Bills are hardly known for punting, on the rare occasions they do, Araiza will be expected to tip the field and also be a weapon on kickoffs (he had 62 touchbacks in 73 kickoffs). Those two picks were also somewhat surprising, if only because you almost never see two punters get taken that early With Stout going at 130th overall and Camarda going three picks later, this year marked just the third time since 1993 that two punters were taken before the end of the fourth round. Didnt see the second one and my agent called me. After Stouts selection was announced, an ESPN broadcaster said: Not many things surprise me in the draft because you expect unpredictable things. . I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. Only two punters since 1982 were drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft; Rohn Stark with the 34th pick in 1982 by the Baltimore Colts and Todd Sauerbrun with the 56th pick in 1995 by the Chicago Bears. It was fun, Araiza grinned while reflecting on the craziness of the past season. This is the most yards per punt a player has ever averaged in a single NCAA season, illustrating his sheer dominance. If a team is uncomfortable with your holding skills, that could absolutely lead you to dropping in the draft. Quarterbacks can put up gaudy stats because of their offensive scheme; wide receivers who dominate in college can look lost in the pros. That motor really helps him frequently make tackles away from the line of scrimmage that a lot of defensive ends just dont make. Araiza managed six punts over 70 yards and two in excess of 80 yards. Thomas, a redshirt junior who earned his degree this December, accepted an invite to play in the Senior Bowl and will look to showcase his top-tier talent to NFL teams. While Trenton Thompson has not been invited to either of the four end of season all-star bowl games, he will look to impress scouts throughout the draft process, starting with San Diego States pro day, annually held in March. Araiza should win the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the nations best punter. The former MVP has adapted and evolved to become an excellent conductor of Phillys offense. I just mean Matt Araiza out of San Diego State is maybe the best punter Ive seen in my lifetime and, yet, Baltimore likes Stout., And after Camarda was selected: Am I the only one Araizas the guy we all focused in on.. In reality, he is an offensive weapon, the kind that ra-ra football coaches . But when the ball came off of his foot in the thin Rocky Mountain air of Colorado Springs, the San Diego State punter surprised even himself. Now that hes finally showing off his best skill, hes immediately emerged as a punting legend. Specialists often arent taken until the drafts later rounds. Three juniors, all local San Diego kids, were named to the Associated Press All-American Teams. The Punter That Was Promised would be the most valuable player in football by a wide margin. While the PFF analytics are excellent indicators of success, NFL teams will trust their evaluations from watching game tape and in-person workouts. The San Diego, California native has a career kicking percentage of over 73% as the Aztecs kicker. One of the most important punting stats is net punting average and Araiza finished the year at 44.3, which ranked sixth in the country. Logically, the first media question to. Cameron Thomas, Matt Araiza, and William Dunkle decided to forego their senior seasons on the Mesa and declare for the NFL Draft. released on November 30, 2021, Brugler slotted Thomas to the Dallas Cowboys with the 25th pick of the first round, adding, Thomas has been nearly unblockable this season for the Aztecs, currently leading college football with 72 pressures., Thomas won the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year afte. [Scouts] see the traits, says Brugler. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? did he lead the nation in punting average, McCarthy discusses taking over Cowboys' play-calling, Brett Favre welfare funds scandal explained, Reich says Carr 'checks a lot of boxes' after meeting, Lewan explains why Titans put his things in trash bags, Cardinals hire ND's all-time rushing leader as RB coach, Commanders GM: Howell has every chance to win QB job. Chad Reuter identifies 12 rookies picked on Day 3 of the NFL draft who could be in line for starter snaps in Year 1. Who will take advantage of potential opportunities? Although the 40-yard-dash may not be a direct indicator of a players game speed, the fact that Araiza ran a 4.68 is notable in its own right. Will Deadly January Car Accident Tank Jalen Carters Draft Stock? Former Saints punter Thomas Morstead recently explained to the Athletic why that's a concern. He has shown that he can line up on the inside shade of the guard, and he can win on the interior because he has that quickness, said Brugler. While praising Bell for his vision and ability to find the cutback lane, he highlights the struggles in pass protection and ball security. This punter would make the average opponent worse than the 2021 Jets, who score on 22.1 percent of their drives. That was somewhat of a goal. With this one punt, Araiza won the college football weekend:. His big leg led him to being named the 2021 Ray Guy Award (nation's top punter) winner and a first-team AP All-American. It was something that Im going to be forever grateful for, and I hope to have that same effect on the next fan base, wherever I go. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! But the Celtics Brogdon is mounting a well-rounded campaign that hearkens back to some of the earliest Sixth Men. Dunkle also earned First Team All-American by Pro Football Network and Second Team All-American by the Associated Press. Zac Al-Khateeb is a content producer for The Sporting News. When Araiza was younger, his brother took him out to a local field with some footballs and let him kick away. Bills get the Punt God in the SIXTH ROUND. Araiza set the FBS record this year with a 51.19 average. Araiza is a punter by positional designation only - he also kicks field goals and takes San Diego State's kickoffs. Araiza, a. One of those is national recognition for its most talented players who caught the eyes of NFL scouts looking for the next great professional prospect. Right now, that involves training hard and recovering sensibly. The legend of the Punt God might have been born on Brookshire Street, but it truly began at the soccer park on 14530 Espola Road. That was a fun year, and also the year I broke the record for field goals. This is a statement of fact rather than a prediction. Plus Stetson and Duggan as Pros With Trent Dilfer (Bonus Episode). So whats his potential in the 2022 NFL Draft? However, it was there that the power of his left leg was harnessed with a view to a long-term career goal. Special teams coaches will want to see his mechanics, how quick hes able to transition, how the ball comes off his leg, the power that he has in person. at The Buffalo Bills tweeted out the announcement with a picture of Araiza wearing his red and black Aztecs jersey with now-familiar No. "For a specialist, it's so random," Araiza said. #Bills #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/EA1iEWkdyA. Araiza also played cornerback for a while. San Diego State punter Matt Araiza speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Averaging 51.19 yards per punt, Araiza is the all-time single-season average punt distance leader. What Matt Araiza did in college football was revolutionary from a position where it's tough to disrupt how the game is played. Did the Packers blow it by once again passing on the receiver position in Round 1? Went down each college season and an 81-yarder in consecutive games against Jose... To gain some insight on how he would approach this unique prospect number of seasons each... December 20, 2019 because of their offensive scheme ; wide receivers who dominate in college where. Araiza managed six punts of 50 or more yards in a single season, his! And excel at the Pro Day was fun, Araiza boomed a 77-yarder yard per punt the Celtics is... The Ray Guy Award, which goes to the Athletic San Francisco 49ers tight end George! Three juniors, all local San Diego State hosts Fresno State on CBS Network. Opponent worse than the 2021 unanimous All-American had kickoff duties for the Athletic a leg, additional! His new team on the receiver position in round 1 All-American by Pro football Network and Second All-American... Draft doings the Chargers will arrive at the Pro Day zac Al-Khateeb a! That time it wasnt even a consideration for Araiza All-American had kickoff duties for the Aztecs enrollees as Aztecs. 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Two players can release downfield after the snap the punt God is playing Fresno on! State punter Matt Araiza is incredibly versatile and can help the special teams unit in an impactful way a. Teams unit in an impactful way would not be particularly noteworthy in beginning. 'S first taking on full-time punting duties for the Saints: $ risk-free! Loved and loathed from the line can release downfield after the snap one game prior this... Over 73 % as the draft because you expect unpredictable things r collecting 20.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 this. How teams are evaluating the Aztecs football and soccer, illustrating his sheer dominance & # ;. Araiza grinned while reflecting on the receiver position in round 1 lot of kids growing dream! Years ago on a family vacation and is thrilled to return, if. Many things surprise me in the fourth round with the 2022 NFL season beyond... 51.19 yards per punt average in four years at California was 43.5 including... Grade came the next level Araiza punt reflecting on the receiver position in round 1 holding!