in this draft class last month. at pic.twitter.com/8W8mTfGHTj. This is a statement of fact rather than a prediction. Araiza is the closest thing in football history to a must-watch punter. Araiza set an NCAA record with a 51.19-yard punting average boosted by punts of 86 and 81 yards as well as a record 39 punts of 50-plus yards and 18 punts of 60-plus yards. The Mandalorian Season 3 Premiere Is a Slick Reminder of What Makes Mando Work, What We Learned From Testing, and a Bahrain GP Preview. You can almost hear return men yelling Oh crap! as the balls sail over their heads. Theyre three different skills that each require practice, and a human leg can swing only so many times before it gets overworked. SIGN UP NOW: $1,000 risk-free on FanDuel Sportsbook! So, what's next for this group -- in 2022 and beyond? 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. In the latest CBS Sports mock draft published this week, Ryan Wilson has the Chargers drafting Thomas with the 20th pick in the first round. Gennaro Filice provides draft grades for each NFC East team. Araiza will be selected early on Day Two, if not late in the first round. Im excited for change. The draft was held May 34, 1979, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. My sophomore season, we won the state championship, Araiza said. Obviously, one of the benefits in my decision to pick San Diego State was being close to home. A fourth player, senior Daniel Bellinger, also took the next step in his career rather than return to SDSU for a super senior season. 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. 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. Neutral Media. It was a special team, and a special group I got to be a part of. And remember, the Big Punt wasnt even Araizas longest punt of the year. With the new changes to the touchback rules, pretty much every kickoff is a touchback. 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. 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. Bellinger recently signed with JB Sports, Inc., the same agency that represents, Dunkle declared for the NFL Draft after finishing the season with a. , the highest by an offensive lineman since Pro Football Focus (PFF) began tracking the metric. 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). Achieving a historic 12-win season and earning a spot in the final College Football Playoff Top 25 Rankings brought many advantages for the San Diego State Aztecs. Anger is the only punter chosen earlier than the fourth round since 2005. Aztecs head coach Brady Hoke recently said that Araiza is the teams MVP. The one thing I dont think I ever realized was the level of popularity. Could Aaron Rodgers help Christian Watson compete for hardware from the jump in Green Bay? Punters are an often-overlooked asset on a football squad but San Diego State punter/kicker Matt Araiza has been frequently referenced as the most talented punt prospect in recent history. This reinforces the significance of gross versus net punting averages. 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. San Diego State's Matt Araiza is putting punters on the map, and his scouting report reveals why he's a highly rated 2022 NFL Draft prospect. Most punters dont achieve that distance in a career. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Matt Araiza had two punts of more than 80 yards last season, including an 86-yarder that was the longest punt in college football.He might be able to punt a football from San Diego to Buffalo. Angers cumulative yard per punt average in four years at California was 43.5, including a high of 45.6 in his junior season. The first specialist chosen was LSU kicker Cade York, who went to Cleveland in the fourth round, six picks before Stout was taken. All these coaches have an opinion of their own and like to make their own decisions, Araiza said. The dude has an absolute howitzer for a left leg, one that booted the ball 90 yards in the effing air on Saturday night in Hawaii. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career. Araiza was chosen with the first pick in the sixth round, the 180th pick overall. That was a huge honor, Araiza said. Wingspan 73 1/8 Punter's names don't usually pop up as draft choices, so we figured it's a good time to look at the position's history in the draft. The selection of Araiza gave SDSU four players in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former MVP has adapted and evolved to become an excellent conductor of Phillys offense. Marc Ross spotlights 10 rookies set up for success in the 2022 NFL season and beyond. Few could have seen this meteoric rise to success. 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. The relationship is not close to being statistically significant here, and the R-squared value is almost negligible. He now holds the record for single-season punt average, with 51.19 yards per punt. The number of seasons for each punter includes every season where at least half of a season was played. Although Araiza saw plenty of action at San Diego State, he might not see the field much in Buffalo. Since NFL defenses vary their fronts constantly, Thomas versatility to play inside or outside will give him a boost to climb teams draft boards. At SDSU, Aguek Arop has left angels in his wake, There will never be another Aztec like Jesse Matthews, Padres Jackson Merrill keeps earning high praise, Samuel Zavala, rising prospect for the Padres, Broncos with a stellar second half to defeat Aztecs 66-60, Butler the hero as Aztecs stun Lobos, 73-71, Fred McGriff: 29 days until Padres Opening Day, San Diego Loyal sign Adrien Perez to aid attack. 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. All that matters is watching him boom footballs as far as he can. These sites are not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with with these teams or institutions. I know what I bring to the NFL. In addition to his record-setting punting, he's drilled three 50-yard field goals, second most in college football, and has the fourth-longest average kickoff distance (65.0 yards). Bills select San Diego St. punter Matt Araiza in sixth round of 2022 NFL Draft Published: Apr 30, 2022 at 04:09 PM Grant Gordon Digital Content Editor Though the Buffalo Bills got the third. San Diego State punter and Ray Guy Award winner Matt Araiza announced Tuesday that he will be entering the 2022 NFL draft after putting together one of the best punting seasons in college football . While the PFF analytics are excellent indicators of success, NFL teams will trust their evaluations from watching game tape and in-person workouts. Its a loaded defensive end class, Brugler said. San Diego State punter Matt Araiza speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Through the first 180 picks, there were more punters selected (3) than were taken in the entire 2021 draft combined (The Steelers selection of Pressley Harvin was the only punter pick last year). 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. Their first three selections are Nos. Three juniors, all local San Diego kids, were named to the Associated Press All-American Teams. From the aforementioned information, it appears that Araiza is an elite punting prospect. I want my life to be an adventure, Araiza said. Araiza had the seasons longest punt, 86 yards against San Jose State. Watch where Araiza ends up on this play! Araiza's punts helped the San Diego State product earn the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top college punter, as he set NCAA records for punting average (51.2 per punt), punts over 50 . But at the very least, Araiza has ensured that pro scouts will look at him, which didnt happen for him coming out of high school. Labeled the "Punt God," Araiza set an NCAA record with a 51.2-yard average on his punts in 2021. Dunkle declared for the NFL Draft after finishing the season with a 98.8 run-blocking grade, the highest by an offensive lineman since Pro Football Focus (PFF) began tracking the metric. Punters dont try to make highlights. Its been a huge honor.. Araiza has a cannon for a leg, shown with his. Hand size 9 1/2 In 2020, he dialed in 71.4%, and in 2021, he achieved 64.3%. In reality, he is an offensive weapon, the kind that ra-ra football coaches . In an interview earlier this month, Araiza told The San Diego Union-Tribune that in practice he sometimes boots the ball 68 yards in the air. Who does Brady Hoke think is the MVP of the undefeated @AztecFB ?The answer may surprise some, but not if youve been watching SDSU & @matt_araiza More from Hoke tonight @footballnightsd @nbcsandiego @GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/6Vh3f56Ms7. A kicker or punter has never finished in the top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting, but thats just because they fashioned the statue after a guy running instead of a guy punting. He was named to several First and Second All-American Teams by various national media outlets. Brugler ranked Bellinger as the 13th-best tight end in this draft class last month. The NCAA record holder is extremely familiar with breaking records. The San Diego State punter capped off his final season at the college level with the ultimate honor for a college punter, the Ray Guy Award. A former San Diego State Football Player Nowlin Ewaliko turned himself into the Police for a very sick Crime. He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. He's hit more 60-yard punts this year than anyone ever. Somehow, were both getting what we want. But colleges dont scout kickers based on who makes the most high school field goals; they scout guys who come recommended by kicking coaches, who often assess only players who paid to go to their camps. The 2022 NFL Draft surprisingly saw just one QB taken in the first two rounds, but that doesn't doom the entire crop to irrelevance. County of San Diego; State of California; Federal . Chicago took offensive tackle Zach Thomas, Camerons brother, in the sixth round. But the answer is simple: yes. Im excited to go to a winning team, Super Bowl favorites, that will be awesome, Ariaza said by phone after the draft. That was probably the year that started all this momentum towards success on the football field.. The social media explosion, and all the fans, the almost cult-like fans sometimes. We have an 86 yard punt EIGHTY SIX (CC @RKalland) pic.twitter.com/KIi5d3VTTO. All four players have the talent to compete and excel at the next level. Somehow, hes close to the best in the nation at all three. 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. 2 and the words: PUNT GOD! Specialists often aren't taken until. There has been one 80-plus-yard punt in the NFL in 2021, by Green Bays Corey Bojorquez. Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop. He converted all but one of his 97 career extra-point attempts, too. While his multipositionality enhances his college value, hell have to specialize in the prosnobody has been a full-time kicker and punter in the league since Frank Corral in 1981. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. Broad jump 10 and 1 (or 121). But, thats not all Araiza can do. Meet Matt Araiza, San Diego State punter who could be among the highest-drafted punters of all time, NFL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board of top 150 players, rankings by position. That motor really helps him frequently make tackles away from the line of scrimmage that a lot of defensive ends just dont make. He spends the evenings with his award-winning legs cast in a recovery boot. The reality is that Araiza is one of a kind, hence the nicknames Anomaly and Punt God.. Only one punter, Pressley Harvin III, was drafted last year, taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 254th pick (7th round). There will be a big red circle on that day on my calendar. Araizas potential as a kicker and punter was immediately obvious at Rancho Bernardo. 130) and Georgia's Jake Camarda to the Buccaneers (fourth round, No. The Aztecs Punt God gained a national following for his record-setting exploits last season. Field Pos. "He was like, 'You're outkicking your coverage. Ray Guy, the only punter in the Hall of Fame, was drafted No. Every coach will want to do their due diligence as far as timing his touch to toe operation and seeing how he does with a real NFL Duke ball. 0 Comment. More than 300 prospects for the . Copyright 2019-2023. 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. I dont think I realized how important it was when I made the decision, Araiza said. Hes quick to find the football, and hes always in pursuit mode.. He's the first SDSU player drafted by Buffalo since . All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. The 1979 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ifbf6FjLa0, Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 30, 2022. This begs the question: how well will Matt Araiza transition to the NFL? No wonder the "punt god" is generating NFL draft buzz. Maybe hell hit one 90 yards this week! That group includes not only several picks taken inside the top 100 overall players, but also four players taken in the second round and another two taken in the first round. When asked if there were any other Aztec players with potential draft stock, Brugler named left tackle Zach Thomas and running back Greg Bell as two guys who have a shot to be late-round picks or priority free agents (PFA). Banners rationale is driven by the notion of replacement value. Are the Bears failing Justin Fields? Thomas has been a really solid player for [SDSU], Brugler said. The announcers were astounded. 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. Araiza seems like he's going to be a good fit in Buffalo. Overflowing with accolades and a pious sobriquet, San Diego State punter Matt Araiza is going from the sunny skies of Southern California to the wintery winds of Buffalo, as the Bills selected him with the No. The only two FBS teams that gave him offers were San Diego State and UMass. I recognize that my train of thought may be different from the rest of the league. Dunkle also earned First Team All-American by Pro Football Network and Second Team All-American by the Associated Press. 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. Ten years from now well know the truth. When I originally went out for the football team, it wasnt to be a kicker. In fact, the San Diego State punter and placekicker had his eye on playing in his school's brand-new stadium next season while going for a master's degree. 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. When youre playing a field position battle, this guy will just flip the field and put the ball inside the other 20 with just one swing of his leg. Araiza is a punter by positional designation only - he also kicks field goals and takes San Diego State's kickoffs. He spent time at Qualcomm Stadium watching the San Diego Chargers, enjoying the passionate environment in person but still holding soccer in his heart. Around 20 minutes north of San Diego State University lies North County Soccer Park. Ray Guy, for whom a college football award is named, was a first-round pick in 1973. The man they call 'Punt God' is going to be the first punter off of the board in the upcoming draft and could go as early as Day 2. This, surprises me. Araiza set a number of ALL-TIME records in this past season, and the lefty has shown that punters can be tough as nails to boot. Brugler praised Thomas lateral quickness and constant effort to get to the ball. Araiza, a. The more you can do to justify a roster spot is the motto of the NFL, said Brugler, adding that teams may feel more comfortable drafting a punter in the fourth or fifth round if they know the punter also has a penchant for touchbacks on kickoffs. Now time for my prediction: I believe Matt Araiza will be selected in the later portion of Round 4, or in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft. His broad jump of 10 1 was better than many who are projected to be high draft selections, including Aidan Hutchinson, David Bell, Isaiah Spiller, Brian Robinson Jr., and Trey McBride. 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. I know my personal traits as an athlete, as a football player, as the leading tackler of a top 25 special teams unit. By Oliver Hodgkinson January 31, 2022 Jump around this article Click to show Matt Araiza is not your average NFL Draft prospect. While a lot of kids growing up dream of playing in the NFL, at that time it wasnt even a consideration for Araiza. Not only has he shown his prowess as a punter, but Coach Maalouf adds he kicked off as well and was good at it. What makes me a top prospect in this year's draft is my ability to aggressively attack the ball, play smart football, and contribute a relentless work ethic to make my team better. As his team keeps winning games and his punts keep soaring over the heads of baffled punt returners, he also raises a question: Just how valuable can a punter truly be? published this week, Ryan Wilson has the Chargers drafting Thomas with the 20th pick in the first round. This versatility only adds to his value heading into the NFL Draft since he can be the kickoff specialist as well as fill in as an emergency kicker should the starter suffer an injury during a game. 10-yard split time 1.61 seconds Vertical jump 32 The Big Punt traveled more than 80. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Araiza found a home at SDSU, not far from where he grew up. I know the type of season I put on. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) By . Unlike other positions, not many teams are looking to add a rookie punter to their team, let alone willing to draft a punter with a precious draft pick. Yes, he was already on pace to set the all-time yards-per-punt record, and yes, Araiza had hit an 86-yard punt the week before. Georgia police have secured a warrant to arrest highly-touted draft prospect Jalen Carter, according to a report from Seth Emerson. Theyre rooting for wins; Im happiest when the offense goes three-and-out at its own 8-yard line so Araiza has maximum space to punt. Last season at least half of a season was played 1 ( 121. The next level national following for his record-setting exploits last season arrest highly-touted draft.! May 34, 1979, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York City New! Tackle Zach Thomas, Camerons brother, in the sixth round chosen with the first round to to. Four players have the talent to compete and excel at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New.! Has a cannon for a leg, shown with his success, NFL teams will their. State of California ; Federal all that matters is watching him boom footballs as far as can., Brugler said Network and Second team All-American by the Associated Press All-American teams reinforces the significance of versus... 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