University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Punting From "Down Under"
Dec 17, 2016 | Football
Jacobs is one of Tigers' special teams weapons.
*NOTE: This feature story on Tigers junior punter Nick Jacobs first appeared in the Nov. 12 Memphis Football GameDay Program vs. USF.
"It was a process that I didn't really expect," junior punter Nick Jacobs said. "We sent some film over, they liked what they saw and offered me a scholarship."
Almost three years later it sounds so simple. But, Jacobs' athletics path had him headed in another direction.
Jacobs' athletic career started as a semi-professional soccer player for his hometown club, South Melbourne FC, in Australia. Injuries derailed his soccer career though, and he was forced into an early retirement from that sport.
Looking for other options, he decided to focus on an academic future. Through word-of-mouth, Jacobs heard about a program where he would have a chance to continue his education in the United States and play American football.
"I had a mate that was going through a program called Prokick Australia," Jacobs said. "They teach the Australian football and soccer kids how to punt the ball. I was lucky enough to get into the program and did very well."
With a strong leg and the blessing of his parents, he went to work for the next six months not knowing what the future would hold.
Before Jacobs was ever on Memphis' radar, the Tigers already had some history with Australian punters. Tom Hornsey played for the Tigers from 2010-13 and was honored with the 2013 Ray Guy Award as college football's top punter.
When the previous coaching staff arrived in the Bluff City in 2012, Hornsey was already on the Tigers' roster. By the end of Hornsey's career, the coaching staff hadn't found a replacement for the departed All-America punter on the roster at that time. Based on Hornsey's success and Jacobs' film from Prokick Australia, the coaching staff decided to take another chance on an Australian punter and offered Jacobs a scholarship.
"Until I got an offer, I didn't believe it would happen," Jacobs said. "I was just going to various trainings each week and working hard, but at the point where I got that first offer, that's when it started to feel real."
Jacobs arrived at Memphis as a freshman in 2014, but he wouldn't be the only first-year punter looking for playing time at the position. Spencer Smith, a walk-on who redshirted in 2013, battled Jacobs for the primary punting job.
Neither punter won the job outright, but instead formed a punting tandem that may be the only one of its kind at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. Smith is known more for his booming kicks, while Jacobs is more precise in pinning foes deep near their own end zone.
"I bet we are the only team in the country that has two punters on scholarship," first-year special teams coordinator Joe Lorig said. "Fortunately for us, both guys are really good, and each has a specific skill set. Nick takes a lot of pride in what his role is."
Not only have both punters embraced their roles on the field, they also have become close friends in the process. Smith, a Newnan, Ga. native, has helped Jacobs adjust to the sport and also to life in the United States.
"Obviously football was a new game to me, and Spencer has helped me get through," said Jacobs. "Spencer and I work well together, and we understand our roles. We come out to practice and push each other to be better punters and players."
The Tigers special teams have been outstanding across the board in 2016, and the punting and punt coverage unit has played a big role. The Jacobs-Smith punting tandem leads the American Athletic Conference punting average (43.2) and net punting (40.8). The duo is ranked 21st nationally in net punting. Of their overall 40 punts, 17 have been downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line and only three have been touchbacks. Six of their punts have actually been returned, the 11th-fewest in FBS this season.
For his part, Jacobs has dropped nine of his 11 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The Tigers' designated short-field punt specialist also booted a career-long 48-yard punt in the squad's win at Tulane Oct. 14.
While his crafted talent is a major reason opponents start so deep in their own territory, Jacobs quickly points to the help he receives when his punts are downed close to the goal line.
"Specifically, with my role pinning them deep, it's nice to know you have players like Arthur Maulet running down there to secure it," said Jacobs. "It's an underrated play in the game, but it's getting some recognition now."
Jacobs' success at Memphis – with or without recognition -- isn't a surprise. He's has been kicking, albeit a soccer ball, since he was a child.
"It's a kick I've been doing all my life," said Jacobs. "I've been preparing for this my whole life without even knowing it."
"It was a process that I didn't really expect," junior punter Nick Jacobs said. "We sent some film over, they liked what they saw and offered me a scholarship."
Almost three years later it sounds so simple. But, Jacobs' athletics path had him headed in another direction.
Jacobs' athletic career started as a semi-professional soccer player for his hometown club, South Melbourne FC, in Australia. Injuries derailed his soccer career though, and he was forced into an early retirement from that sport.
Looking for other options, he decided to focus on an academic future. Through word-of-mouth, Jacobs heard about a program where he would have a chance to continue his education in the United States and play American football.
"I had a mate that was going through a program called Prokick Australia," Jacobs said. "They teach the Australian football and soccer kids how to punt the ball. I was lucky enough to get into the program and did very well."
With a strong leg and the blessing of his parents, he went to work for the next six months not knowing what the future would hold.
Before Jacobs was ever on Memphis' radar, the Tigers already had some history with Australian punters. Tom Hornsey played for the Tigers from 2010-13 and was honored with the 2013 Ray Guy Award as college football's top punter.
When the previous coaching staff arrived in the Bluff City in 2012, Hornsey was already on the Tigers' roster. By the end of Hornsey's career, the coaching staff hadn't found a replacement for the departed All-America punter on the roster at that time. Based on Hornsey's success and Jacobs' film from Prokick Australia, the coaching staff decided to take another chance on an Australian punter and offered Jacobs a scholarship.
"Until I got an offer, I didn't believe it would happen," Jacobs said. "I was just going to various trainings each week and working hard, but at the point where I got that first offer, that's when it started to feel real."
Jacobs arrived at Memphis as a freshman in 2014, but he wouldn't be the only first-year punter looking for playing time at the position. Spencer Smith, a walk-on who redshirted in 2013, battled Jacobs for the primary punting job.
Neither punter won the job outright, but instead formed a punting tandem that may be the only one of its kind at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. Smith is known more for his booming kicks, while Jacobs is more precise in pinning foes deep near their own end zone.
"I bet we are the only team in the country that has two punters on scholarship," first-year special teams coordinator Joe Lorig said. "Fortunately for us, both guys are really good, and each has a specific skill set. Nick takes a lot of pride in what his role is."
Not only have both punters embraced their roles on the field, they also have become close friends in the process. Smith, a Newnan, Ga. native, has helped Jacobs adjust to the sport and also to life in the United States.
"Obviously football was a new game to me, and Spencer has helped me get through," said Jacobs. "Spencer and I work well together, and we understand our roles. We come out to practice and push each other to be better punters and players."
The Tigers special teams have been outstanding across the board in 2016, and the punting and punt coverage unit has played a big role. The Jacobs-Smith punting tandem leads the American Athletic Conference punting average (43.2) and net punting (40.8). The duo is ranked 21st nationally in net punting. Of their overall 40 punts, 17 have been downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line and only three have been touchbacks. Six of their punts have actually been returned, the 11th-fewest in FBS this season.
For his part, Jacobs has dropped nine of his 11 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The Tigers' designated short-field punt specialist also booted a career-long 48-yard punt in the squad's win at Tulane Oct. 14.
While his crafted talent is a major reason opponents start so deep in their own territory, Jacobs quickly points to the help he receives when his punts are downed close to the goal line.
"Specifically, with my role pinning them deep, it's nice to know you have players like Arthur Maulet running down there to secure it," said Jacobs. "It's an underrated play in the game, but it's getting some recognition now."
Jacobs' success at Memphis – with or without recognition -- isn't a surprise. He's has been kicking, albeit a soccer ball, since he was a child.
"It's a kick I've been doing all my life," said Jacobs. "I've been preparing for this my whole life without even knowing it."
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