Seeking new punter, Penn State places priority on mental approach

New Penn State special teams coordinator Stacy Collins has decisions to make in the kicking game,

Arriving to work with the Nittany Lions this offseason, the veteran assistant coach must replace his starting kickoff specialist, punter, and placekicker from the 2021 season. That all three jobs were held by Jordan Stout last year is not especially relevant to that equation.

Understanding Stout to be a unique talent, Collins has instead spent his time this spring focusing on a more realistic approach to kicking. Allowing players to narrow their focus to a specialty, the result has been one of growth within the unit this offseason.

“I try to take it every day and see where we’re at,” Collins said. “I like the way these guys work. They’ve done an unbelievable job here in the past. It starts with Coach Franklin at the top. Coach Lorig did an unbelievable job here. But, that’s college football. You’re gonna lose guys every year. So how do you build those guys up? 

“I like the work that we’re getting in. I like the growth we’ve made from practice one to 10 as we move through it. That has been great. There are some new things. Guys are getting opportunities and that’s what it’s about.”

Sizing up Penn State’s punting needs

That sentiment has especially been true at punter for Penn State this spring.

Keeping in mind a certain baseline from which to work when making evaluations at the position, Collins laid out what he’s been looking for out of Penn State’s two punters on the roster this spring, Barney Amor and Gabriel Nwosu. 

“It certainly starts with power. To me, it’s like a Major League Baseball pitcher. You can throw 90 Plus or you can’t. Some guys got it,” Collins said. “So you start there. We got to get there. We got to have somebody who’s got the leg snap. 

“And then how good are you fundamentally, technique-wise, and how coachable are you? The biggest part to me is the mental mindset. How can you work yourself through the mental training of it to handle each punt, to handle each kick? Go back, reset that. Your work off the field, from a mental mindset training off of that to be able to take that training, that one shot rep. Because that’s what it’s all about. That one-shot rep. Being able to produce when it’s time to get there. And that’s the biggest challenge at times as you continue to grow these guys.”

Breaking down Penn State’s punting competition

In providing evaluations of Amor and Nwosu through the spring, Collins seemed to shed some light on their respective strengths as they compete to take over for Stout next season.

Amor, a super senior taking advantage of the bonus COVID year of eligibility, arrived at Penn State as a graduate transfer from Colgate ahead of the 2021 season. 

As a Raider, Amor went for 42.1 yards per punt (22nd in the FCS) during the 2019 season. But, given that the Patriot League held off on playing in 2020, Amor hasn’t played in a game since then. 

According to Collins, though, Amor has brought some of the stability sought from the position with his performances this spring.

“He’s done a really good job today and he’s hit the ball two days in a row extremely well,” Collins said. “He’s very mature, understands what his strengths, what his weaknesses are. So I think he’s had an unbelievable spring ball. We’ll continue and we’ll see how this thing closes out and finishes. 

“But, great kid to work around, great person. It starts with that. He’s got an unbelievable work ethic, extremely smart, extremely intelligent. And then he’s able to make adjustments and move on.”

Describing that element as “the biggest thing” when working with specialists, Collins said Amor has done a nice job of mentally taking the right approach.

“Every kick, every punt is a new kick or a new punt,” Collins said. “So how do I wipe that last one away? Whether that’s good or whether that’s bad, let’s reload. Now this next kick, this next punt is the one that counts.”

A ‘unique’ walk-on punter

Collins’ other competitor to evaluate at punter this spring, Nwosu brings his own unique story to the position.

Checking in at 6-foot-6, 278 pounds, Nwosu is a redshirt freshman walk-on from The Bullis School located in suburban Washington D.C. While there, he was a first-team all-conference pick twice over, averaging 41.3 yards per punt in 2019. 

Nwosu’s unique size for the position aside, Collins said it plays to his benefit when kicking.

“He’s a big dude, but what that allows is more torque. I mean, you watch him kick the ball off, he’s boom,” Collins said. “But also, he needs to make sure and continue, as you’re longer and you’re bigger, then you got to make sure you’re a little bit cleaner with your drops and technique. So it’s been a little bit unique. 

“He’s got an unbelievable leg, big body and he’s been great. He’s made a ton of strides from when I got here in January to where he’s at now.”

Penn State’s newcomer

With plenty of reps directed toward Amor and Nwosu this spring, another competitor will enter the equation soon.

Set to enroll at Penn State this summer, Class of 2022 punter Alex Bacchetta arrives with high expectations, too. An On3 Consensus three-star punter, the Westminster School (Atlanta, Ga.) product was described as a “combo guy” by Collins, capable of punts, kickoffs, and field goals. 

“I’ve had a chance to know him pretty well. He’s got a big-time leg, so we’re excited to see how he develops when he gets here,” Collins said. “It’s always different. Just like any position, you got to get him on your field, in your drills when you have a chance to do that. See how they respond to different pressure situations. 

“But, great kid, great family. Certainly, he’s a very, very good talent and we’re excited to bring him in here and create more competition in those rooms.”