Better Know A Bearcats Position Group: Punter

As we head into the Cincinnati Bearcats’ 2014 football season, UC will experience stability at punter for the first time since 2012. With the hiring of Tommy Tuberville to replace Butch Jones, the new staff brought with them a different ideology to the punting position.

Instead of a traditional style in which the punter drops the ball a few feet in front of him and swings his leg in a long, arching motion to create enough centripetal force to boot it downfield. It was the ideal style for the 6’4″ Pat O’Donnell. But when the new staff arrived, they opted to replace the traditional punting style with a rugby style, in which there are several more ways to boot the ball. It’s not as clear cut as what O’Donnell was used to, with each decision based on how the opposing team was lined up, and as a result hightailed it from Cincinnati.

So in stepped John Lloyd who embraced the new schemes and performed well in his stead. He returns to UC next season to anchor the punter role yet again in his senior year.

John Lloyd (#24): Senior

Somewhat splitting time with Brendon Kay, who’s apparently a master pooch punter, Lloyd averaged 43.8 yards per kick last season. That’s actually 2 yards farther than O’Donnell in his final year at UC. Additionally, Lloyd finished second in the AAC in punting average and was 23rd nationally among those with 28 yards or more.

So it’s safe to say that the punter role is in good hands next season with this senior at the helm, especially if he can pull this off again.

Sam Geraci (#58): Redshirt Freshman

Geraci comes to Cincinnati from the far off high school of Moeller. He could be set to take over for Lloyd upon his graduation after next season but probably won’t see many live reps in 2014.