2020 Preseason All-American Projections: Kickers and Punters

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2020 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next April in the 2021 NFL Draft.

First-Team Kicker: Quinn Nordin, Michigan

Nordin made 10-of-13 field goals in 2019 (77 percent), and he was perfect on three attempts in the 30-yard range. He was 1-of-3 from over 50 yards, but made a 57-yard field goal. He also had an impressive sophomore season for the Wolverines. Nordin has drawn some interest from NFL scouts, and he could be the best kicker in college football this fall.



Second-Team Kicker: Blake Lynch, Kansas State

Lynch was very accurate in his debut for Kansas State in 2018, drilling 14-of-16 field goals, including all three tries in the 40-plus-yard range. His two misses as a freshman came from over 50 yards, so it will help him to show the ability to hit those field goals over his senior year. Lynch did not record a field attempt in the 50-yard range as a sophomore, but he was good on a fabulous 91 percent of his attempts (19-of-21) in 2019.



Third-Team Kicker: Brandon Ruiz, Arizona State

In 2019, Ruiz made 82 percent of his field goals (18-of-22) and had a long of 49 yards. He missed both attempts in the 50-plus range. Ruiz hit a 52-yard field goal as a freshman, but his percentage of 70.4 percent (19-of-27) was less than one would have liked to see. However, he showed big improvement as a sophomore, connecting on 18-of-22 (82 percent) with a long of 49 yards. He improved from 5-of-10 to 4-of-5 in the 40-yard range to lead his improved accuracy.

Kicker Honorable Mentions: Michigan State’s Matt Coghlin and South Florida’s Cody Weiss.



First-Team Punter: Max Duffy, Kentucky

Duffy won the Ray Guy Award in 2019 for the best punter in the nation. He averaged 48.1 yards per punt with a long of 70 yards. As a sophomore, he averaged 45 yards per punt with a long of 67. Duffy could easily be the top punter again and a First-Team All-American.



Second-Team Punter: Drue Chrisman, Ohio State

In 2019, Chrisman averaged 44.3 yards per punt and had a long of 61. He averaged 43.2 yards per punt in 2018 and had a long of 65 yards. In 2017, he averaged 44.2 yards per punt with a long of 62 yards. Chrisman has a strong leg and has been a nice special teams weapon for Ohio State.





Third-Team Punter: Derek Adams, Kent State

Adams averaged 43.3 yards per punt in 2019 with a long of 76. Adams averaged 40.2 yards per punt in 2018 with a long of 77 yards. He had an excellent 2017 season punting for Kent State, averaging 43.6 yards punt with a long of 74 yards. Adams averaged 40.3 yards per punt with a long of 67 in 2016.

Punter Honorable Mentions: Penn State’s Blake Gillikin and Virginia Tech’s Oscar Bradburn.











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