Johnston adjusts punting style for pro game

INDIANAPOLIS — Cameron Johnston grew up in Australia learning to kick on the run.

That rugby-style punting certainly worked at Ohio State, where he became an important cog in helping the Buckeyes win the field-position battle consistently.

But in the NFL, only the two gunners can go downfield before the kick. It’s counterproductive for a punter to take extra steps. Johnston came to the NFL combine this week hoping to show he could become “Americanized” as a traditional two-step punter.

He believes he succeeded in his 15-punt workout Thursday.

“It was a lot of fun,” Johnston said. “I think I did really well. I was really happy with it.

“The big thing was showing you had the power and consistency and breaking the mold that you’re a rollout punter. It doesn’t work in the NFL.”

He said he would have liked to have kicked more conventionally at times at Ohio State, but he agreed that the Buckeyes were right in having him kick rugby-style because it all but eliminated punt returns.

Johnston looks back at his Ohio State career with nothing but fondness.

“It was amazing,” he said. “I wouldn’t have thought four years ago that we’d win a national championship and go to the White House and do stuff like that.

“I’ve loved every second of it. I tell people it’s the best decision I’ve ever made — to come to America and go to Ohio State.”

Butt has no regrets

Pickerington native Jake Butt tore his ACL playing for Michigan in the Orange Bowl. But he said that even with hindsight, he wouldn’t have done what a few star players did and skip their team’s bowl game.

“I’m not going to second-guess that,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a tough injury, but it’s nothing I can’t overcome. It’s nothing that not just me, but the people around me, can’t overcome.

“I don’t secondguess that at all. I’d go out there and play for my team again. I was a leader on that team. I’m a captain. I love that university and just the kind of player I am, I would never sit out of a game.”

Butt said he is ahead of schedule in his recovery. He had surgery Jan. 10. He expects to be able to do football drills by July.

He had a previous ACL injury. He said the earlier one included a meniscus tear, which this one didn’t.