Position Analysis: Punter
by: IrishFan
July 24, 1999

The punting battle in the summer will be one of the more interesting competitions this season. Gone is one of the school's all time leading punters, Hunter Smith, and in come 3 young players all hungry for the job.

First there is sophomore David Miller. Miller can kick the long ball, he hit a 71 yard punt in high school (an Indiana state record) but it has yet to be seen what he can do on a regular basis. His high school average was only around 37 yards but as said earlier we know he can hit the long ball. Everyone is kind of writing him off in this competition. He did injure his foot in May though, so he hasn't had a good opportunity to practice this off season.

The next player in this competition is incoming freshman Joey Hildbold. was an All State punter in Virginia in 1998 and was Prep Star's #1 punter. He is noted for his hang-time, a 4.7 avg in 1998. Most observers even say he averaged closer to 5.0, but that is not official. He averaged just over 39 yards a punt, but the popular opinion is he tried to get hangtime. Most of his punts were not returnable however. He went to a kicking camp at Lehigh University this summer to work on this kicking. Lehigh University is where the Philadelphia Eagles hold their training camp. I'm not sure if that's who was coaching him at this camp because I haven't heard much about it. But anyone who has seen the Eagles special teams in the last 3-4 years, is probably hoping it wasn't.

Nick Setta, another freshman, is one more person fighting for the job. Nick was the USA Today 1st Team All American punter not to mention the 1st team All State Punter in Illinois in 97 and 98. Nick is from Illinois, so he is accustomed to punting in some of the same weather he will face in South Bend. Nick has got a strong leg and averaged close to 45 yards per punt last season with a 4.4-4.5 second hang-time. Nick is also very confident and has the attitude to be the starter.

I know Nick has been training a lot this off season as well as Hildbold, he went to a camp at Lehigh University, like I previously said. Miller didn't start kicking until June 30 because of his foot injury.

Look for Nick Setta to gain the kicking job. He is very pumped about the coming season and has been training a lot. He is also fired up about the competition and really wants to win all the kicking jobs. This is just based on what I have read, heard, or have been told. My opinion my change once summer drills start and I see what each person kicks like. Nick just has the type of attitude that if Miller would kick on 62 yards, Nick would come in and kick one 63.

As always, these are my humble opinions and feel free to email me at IrishFan@uhnd.com