Clemson walk-on takes over punting duties

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Friday, August 25, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Clemson Tigers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

In a move that was more than expected among many Clemson Tiger fans, head coach Tommy Bowden recently announced that Jimmy Maners, a 2004 walk-on, will take over the punting responsibilities from incumbent redshirt senior Cole Chason.

In 2003, Chason never managed to excel as a freshman. The young punter finished the year with 58 punts for 2,238 yards, which was by no means impressive. Chason's poor average of 38.59 yards per punt landed him and the Tigers 92nd in the nation in net punting, but fans let his poor showing slide due to his inexperience at the college level.

Chason did not shine in his sophomore year, but he did, however, improve over the course of the season. In 2004, Clemson's punting scheme was altogether horrific, and even cost the Tigers a win against Georgia Tech on a bad punt snap. But, despite consistent bad snaps and poor coverage, Chason managed to improve his average from 38.59 yards per punt to 40.24, which is a considerable amount in the kicking world. His sophomore average was enhanced enough to move the Tigers up 26 spots to 66th in the nation in net punting.

In 2005, Chason, like before, entered the season with expectations of consistency and severe improvement due to the previous years' disheartening special teams play. The junior, however, let down Tiger fans, once more. Chason's average plummeted to 36.44 YPP, and the punting game, almost expectantly, struggled throughout the year.

Although Chason was never an enemy to the Tiger faithful, a major transformation was needed in hopes that Clemson's punting game could be restored. Following the '05 season, Bowden mentioned, on several occasions, how he would be considering a new punter and a more traditional scheme to help treat the Tigers' punting woes. Amid an already tight race between Chason and Maners, as well as an injury suffered to Chason's foot, Maners was recently named the new Clemson punter.

Maners, who is entering his junior year with the Tigers, has been working overtime throughout his time as a Tiger, and has improved, drastically. Maners' snap-to-punt time has gone from a mediocre 2.3 seconds to a considerably improved 1.9, and he is always the first to describe and demonstrate his new and improved punting technique.

"When I used to punt, I used to raise up the ball a lot before I hit it," Maners said while demonstrating his form. "I've been working on keeping it at hip-level and extending it off the table, keeping it right here in the same place every time."

At the same time, Maners isn't the only one noticing his improvements. Bowden seems to think Maners is pretty good, as well.

"A pro scout told me one time that a good punter, when he misses it, it goes 40 yards," said the Tigers' head coach. "Maners does that."

"If he doesn't hit a good one, it goes 40."

Maners, who has quietly earned respect from Tiger fans, appears level and ready for the 2006 season. With a new punter and a more conservative scheme in hand, Bowden, as well as fans, are confident in the walk-on, who may likely be among the deciding factors in the Tigers' run for an ACC Championship.

Sign up for our free e-mail alerts at the top right-hand corner of the page for all the latest Clemson Tigers updates.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report