If he can do it consistently is another question. While Krimm was steady for Penn and was brought in as a preferred walk-on with the intention of getting a chance to play, he averaged 41.6 yards per punt last year. If McFerson’s leg strength compares to Newsome’s, then repeated punts longer than 45 yards should be expected, and that is what Notre Dame wants. McFerson will again spend the preseason competing with an Ivy League graduate, but he should have the upper hand this August. “‘Whoever punts the ball the farthest the most is going to punt.’” Special teams coordinator Brian Mason has a very simple method of choosing a punter, he said this spring.
“Make no mistake, McFerson will have his chance to prove his leg is too strong to be sidelined due to hypothetical nerves. The Irish brought him in with that as a known possibility. “It will not be too shocking if Sot handles the duties this season. “Comparatively, McFerson has a higher long-term ceiling, but a freshman fielding his first collegiate long snap at Ohio State in front of nearly 105,000 fans in 42 days - yes, exactly six weeks - may be a bit too worrisome for Notre Dame. His career average of 40.8 yards per punt would be a comfortable version of steady for the Irish. Of his 57 punts last season, he set 24 inside the 20-yard line. “Sot has enough experience to not be doubted in any respect. When we get those periods, we’re working on specific drills that make to where he can perform at the right moment.” … But now we’re trying to make sure can do it consistently. “His leg strength is clearly there, very similar, if not stronger, to Tyler Newsome.
“ is working on fine-tuning his technique to be more consistent,” Biagi said in early April. A specialist who was eventually named a team captain, Newsome was one of few bright spots in 2016. Newsome placed 16 of his 54 punts inside the 20-yard line that year while averaging 43.5 yards per punt. But Biagi mentioned Newsome so let’s give it some context. No, that is not usually a season to bring up when looking at the current Notre Dame roster, both because of how that year went and because seven years ago has no bearing now. That was Tyler Newsome’s junior year, his second as the starting punter. New Irish special teams coordinator Marty Biagi spent 2016 in South Bend as a special teams analyst. Walk-on Zac Yoakam stepped in and played well enough to hold the gig throughout the season, lessening the need for McFerson to risk reaggravating his groin in an expedited return. McFerson was in position to handle kickoff duties, though, until a pre-game groin injury sidelined him before his debut at Ohio State. McFerson and Sot had a genuine preseason competition, but Sot clearly won it.
Notre Dame then shored up any uncertainty by bringing in Sot from Harvard. The former Irish coaching staff had an inkling Bramblett would head to the SEC, hence pursuing McFerson, and indeed, Bramblett transferred to LSU. When he committed to Notre Dame, McFerson expected to spend the season backing up Jay Bramblett. That was not an unexpected result for McFerson, even if the punter ahead of him was a surprise. McFerson did not play in 2022, preserving a year of eligibility while Jon Sot starred. He visited South Bend in mid-November of 2021 and committed soon thereafter. Recruiting: A one-time Wake Forest commit, McFerson flipped to Notre Dame quickly after the Irish gave him chase. Listed measurements: 6-foot-1 ½, 190 pounds.Ģ023-24 year, eligibility: A sophomore, McFerson has all four seasons of eligibility remaining.ĭepth Chart: Though Notre Dame brought in a graduate transfer punter in Penn’s Ben Krimm, expect McFerson to handle the booting duties for the Irish this season. Punter Bryce McFerson, the Wake Forest University commit, was officially honored today as a 2022 All-American during a virtual jersey presentation.
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