UGA specialists work to continue stellar seasons
On many college football rosters, the punters and kickers can be in their own little world of isolation, whether in the locker room, at practice or even during games.
At Georgia, junior punter Jake Camarda and redshirt sophomore kicker Jack Podlesny are thriving in a world of inclusion through a 3-1 start for the Bulldogs that is accompanied by a No. 5 national ranking entering today’s noon showdown at Kentucky (2-3).
“I wish they would get more credit for what they’ve done,” Bulldogs redshirt sophomore tight end John FitzPatrick said this week. “Jack is nailing his field goals, and Jake is flipping the field almost every time he’s asked to. We feel great having them.”
Camard a is a proven commodi ty as a three- year starter and f inished sixth nationally in punting last season, averaging 46.84 yards an attempt. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Norcross has been even stronger this year, punting 15 times for a whopping 50.73- yard average that ranks second in the country.
Podlesny, meanwhile, is having to replace the legend that was Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia’s all-time leading scorer who currently is vying for the NFL scoring lead as an Indianapolis Colts rookie. A 6-4, 180-pounder from the Georgia coast on St. Simons Island, Podlesny is 8-of10 on field- goal attempts this season with a long of 51.
“Both of those guys are very talented, first and foremost, and they’re great ambassadors for Georgia,” Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said. “They’re great students. They’re great kids. They work really hard at their trade. I would definitely say that Camarda has become a weapon in terms of his ability to hit really long punts. I think we have to be careful that we don’t outkick our coverage at times. His distance
has to match his hang time, but he is a weapon in terms of his leg strength.
“We would like for ‘Pod’ to be even more consistent with the field goals, but he’s a kid who knows the work he has to put in and works hard at it. Those guys
have been good players for us.”
In Georgia’s lone loss, the 41- 24 setback at Alabama on Oct. 17, Camarda punted four times for a 49.0-yard average and placed three of his kicks inside
the Crimson Tide 20. Podlesny connected on a 50- yard field goal but missed a 35-yarder.
Camarda could be a huge factor today when the Bulldogs face a struggling Wildcats offense in Lexington, especially if the hosts are repeatedly saddled with lousy field position. Joey Gatewood, who quarterbacked last season at Auburn before transferring, will make his starting debut for Kentucky.
“Jake is full of confidence, and he shows that on the field,” sophomore safety Lewis Cine said. “What do you have to fear or be afraid of when you do what he’s doing every day in practice? When games come, he’s very relaxed and calm and does things freely. I enjoy that he has that swag in the games.”
Said Camarda: “I feel like my confidence level is good. Moving forward, I think we’re going to perform at a really high level.”