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GUEST EXPERT ARTICLE
The San Diego School of Football surveys all current and former students with major college experience. The survey helps current SDS student-athletes prepare for the next level. Here's what Dan Titchener, University of Nebraska's punter, had to share.
When did you begin your preparations for College both athletically and academically?
I began preparing for college athletically around my sophomore year of high school. I noticed during my freshman year that I was better than average punter, and with my size realized that that would be my best shot of realizing my dreams of playing in college/pros. I started going to camps the summer after my freshman year. I began prepping for the ACT in my sophomore year as well. Before each time I took the exam I used an ACT prep software program that dramatically improved my scores. As far as courses go, my freshman year I was in the International Baccalaureate Program, which is a college prep program, but after my sophomore year, when I left the program, I took 2 or 3 AP courses.
How did your high school experience prepare you?
My high school experience itself, didn't really help me a whole lot. The camps and my connections with former NFL punters helped me tremendously. My coach in high school knew nothing about punting, and admitted it, he just wanted the ball down field as far as I could get it. I learned to directional punt and situational punt (sky etc..) through the camps and Rick Donnelly, (punter for the Seahawks and Falcons in the 1980's). When I got to college, I knew how do almost every kick that I was asked to do, it just took me getting better and more consistent at them to become the starter.
Did your high school head coach help you get recruited?
He made a few phone calls, received letters from colleges early in the recruiting process, helped make films for me to send out to colleges. Basically though, I did the majority of it on my own making calls, sending letters, sending films, that kind of stuff.
How do you feel you got recruited? What were your credentials/awards/honors?
My grades/ ACT score helped me get recruited, but I basically sent films out to any place I could and let coaches see my talents for their self. I was a two time 1st team All-State Punter, two time 1st team All-Conference Punter, as well as other All-State and Conference honors at tight end and d-end. Later on in the recruiting process, I was really helped by being awarded USA Today 2nd Team All-American Punter.
Did you attend any combines, competitions, camps? What effect did it have on getting you better?
What effect did it have on getting you recruited?
I attended many Professional Kicking Services camps, a couple Ray Guy camps, and a few camps put on by colleges. The Pelfrey camps (PKS) helped a ton with recruiting because he was the person who nominated me for USA Today All-American. After I was awarded that I received a lot more interest from schools I hadn't heard from before then. I went to Iowa State and Nebraska's camps. At both places, I went during their actual camp, not the kicking camps, and got individual attention from 2-3 coaches at each place for an hour, and then I left the camp. My performance at those camps dramatically helped my recruiting to those specific schools.
Were you prepared emotionally? Were they clear in their expectations? How do they treat you?
As far as coaches yelling frequently - I was prepared. And they treat punters/kickers long snappers almost as if they are not part of the team, or at least as the lowest members of the team. I was not expecting to by yelled at so much for hitting a poor punt. I understand why coaches are so high strung, they do have to win to keep their jobs, but I guess I wasn't really prepared for that. The coaches were however very good about letting me know where I stood, and what was going to happen throughout my career. They told me before I even got on campus, I would be the backup for 2 years, and then start for 3. So far every word they told me about that has been true.
What do you wish you would have known in high school that you could tell a current high school kid?
Expect to be treated like a kicker. It's probably easier to come in thinking you won't be treated well, and not feel bad if it happens. Academically, use the resources that are available to you. Whether it's ACT prep software or in college using the tutors provided by the athletic department. Learn how to manage your time as it becomes a difficult task your first semester if you aren't somewhat practiced at it. Athletically, prepare for college just by doing what you do in the weight room for every day lifting. Especially as a kicker, you don't have to be huge. Work on flexibility, drops, your steps every day. Be ready to spend about 340 of the 365 days of the year doing something involving football. Whether it's an out of season lifting schedule, an off season kicking routine, conditioning, spring ball, or in season, it's an every day job.
What was your impression of the level of athleticism in college? Were you prepared athletically?
It's a different world. Guys are huge. My first day in fall camp freshman year, I have eight 250 lb. guys running at me full speed trying to block my punt. In high school at 250, you're stuck on the line and aren't fast enough to get a punt if you tried. But in college there are 20 guys on every team who can run a 4.5 40 at 250 lbs. I was no where near being prepared athletically, compared to position players on the team. I still am probably only better than par on the conditioning aspect compared to the entire team. It's really impressive how big some guys in college football are.
Does your school have a kicking coach? How does the staff view specialists?
What determines playing time?
No! We have a Tight-ends coach who is 'in charge of' the punters, but he knows very little about punting. It's frustrating to have no one on the staff that can watch you and tell you what you're doing wrong. They instead just yell to fix it.
How is in-season practice structured? (Number of live kicks, work w/ snapper, coaching feedback)
In-season practice is pretty laid back for the punters/kickers. We go out 45-30 minutes before practice, warm-up, and get our work in before practice starts. During practice, we usually go in the locker room, or out to another practice field to play games, sometimes they involve punting, sometimes not. In the middle of practice we usually have a punt period, so we will get loose for a couple periods before the punt period, after that we are usually done for the day. After that we will work on drops practice steps. Sometimes we sit in the cold-tank. The kickers usually have KO or KOR at the end of practice and will do the same routine before their period at the end of practice. Learn more about Lance Ortega >>> |
Interview with Dan Titchener, Punter for the University of Nebraska
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