South Carolina All-American accepts all-star game invite
South Carolina football senior punter Kai Kroeger has accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Kroeger, who has an outside shot at being an NFL Draft selection next April, will use the all-star showcase to perform in front of professional scouts and decision-makers. The Shrine Bowl announced Kroeger’s news on social media.
The 100th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl will take place on January 30th in Dallas’ AT&T Stadium. Practices, combines, and showcases will take place before the contest, and the game will be broadcast on NFL Network.
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Kroeger, along with teammate Tonka Hemingway, just set the all-time participation record for the Gamecocks. The senior duo played in 61 games for South Carolina, besting former USC kicker Parker White’s previous record of 60.
Kroeger also set a new single-season record for punting, too, averaging 47.8 yards per attempt this year. He is second all-time in Gamecock history in career punting, too, averaging 44.6 yards per kick. That number trails only Joseph Charlton in the Carolina record books.
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Kroeger also had a knack for pinning opponents deep in their own territory with accurate kicks with solid hang time. He is viewed by many as the best punter in team history.
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During his South Carolina football career, Kroeger was more than just a punter. He also was a dependable holder, a situational drop-kick kickoff artist, and, as a high school quarterback, a significant threat on special teams fakes. As a Gamecock, Kroeger threw for three touchdowns, four 1st downs, and multiple 2-point conversions. He also delivered one of the team’s best onside kicks ever, an uncatchable, sidewinding drop-kick against Alabama.
Kroeger made All-American squads in both 2022 and 2024 and earned All-SEC recognition in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He also was a Freshman All-SEC inclusion in 2020.
