Why Can't Tech Kick?

Had a chance to look at the top ten ACC field goal kickers, and the numbers prove my point: While most teams in a conference ranked below the SEC and PAC10 can recruit kickers who can make 85% of their field goals, Georgia Tech’s Harrison Butker has only connected on 57% of his placements.

 

100%: FSU, Duke, Pitts, UNC

92%: Virginia

78%: Louisville

67%: Clemson

64%: Virginia Tech

57%: Georgia Tech, NC State

 

Why can’t Tech sign an elite kicker? Poor recruiting? Are kickers deemed not important enough? There are several kicking camps and coaches in every state, including Georgia. Seems like it wouldn’t be too hard to track down an excellent kicker.

Same story in the SEC. Nine kickers have field goal percentages 67% or better, with a combined percentage of 77%.

Is it pride? The Bulldogs have a long tradition of great kickers: Bobby Etter (#11 above), Peter Rajecki, Allan Leavitt, Rex Robinson (above), Kevin Butler (below), John Kasey, Todd Peterson, Kanon Parkman, Hap Hines, Billy Bennett, Brandon Coutu, Blair Walsh, and Marshall Morgan are just some of the record-setting kickers the Dawgs have had over the past 60 years. Robinson coaches kickers from around the state in metro Atlanta. He didn’t coach Butker, and I doubt he’s steering kickers away from Tech.

I used to kick straight on. Still have my square toed shoe. Tech’s last toe kicker was the same year as me, and in some of my classes. He was accurate, but didn’t have much distance. Steve Crumley was UGA’s last toe kicker, and he came along in the 80’s after Kevin Butler and several other soccer style kickers.

 

Mark Mosely was the last toe kicker in the NFL, for the Redskins in the late 80’s. He was good, but the field goal percentages have steadily risen over the years in the NFL and college (except at GT) to the point where the NFL is considering making it harder on the kickers – moving extra points back 15 yards, narrowing the goal posts, etc.