Punter Leininger puts foes in a corner
Cole Leininger is most at ease when thinking about or working with plants. After practice, the Cal punter returns home to his mini-terrarium. He reads his favorite botanists to unwind.
Entering this season, Leininger focused on capturing that same measure of calm on the field. The senior limited his practice punts, relaxed his form and made sure not to overthink his routine.
That laid-back approach is the key reason behind his improved performance. Through eight appearances, his punting average is up nearly 3 yards. His punts are more accurate and hanging in the air longer. On 37 Cal punts this season, opponents have tried returning just six times.
It has been a crucial development for a Cal team laboring through a rash of issues on offense and defense. To weather such inconsistencies, the Bears often need the benefit of stellar field positioning.
“I’m probably more relaxed now,” Leininger said. “When I first came out, I tried too much and probably punted too much. I’m feeling more fresh than I ever have in a season.”
Seldom are three-year starters told to re-earn their jobs. But after finishing his junior season ninth in the Pac-12 at 39.8 yards per punt, Leininger entered the spring on tenuous footing. Coaches opened the spot to a three-way competition.
Last summer, Leininger spent a month at a One on One Kicking camp. He stayed in a dorm room at Henderson State, a Division II school 70 miles southwest of Little Rock, Ark., and punted five days a week.
His instructor, Mike McCabe, pinpointed a problem with Leininger’s drops. He was releasing the ball with a stiff arm, which caused it to meet his foot too quickly. Leininger practiced a looser drop over and over again until it became part of his muscle memory.
It was a subtle adjustment that yielded notable results. In training camp, he showcased newfound consistency to hold off backups Dylan Klumph and rugby player Harry Adolphus.
“He’s really worked at it,” special-teams coordinator Mark Tommerdahl said. “He’s kind of put himself where he’s just kept improving.”
Added head coach Sonny Dykes: “He’s been outstanding. He’s done exactly what we’ve asked him to do. We haven’t had issues covering punts this year because he has hung the ball up there.”
Leininger harbors designs on an NFL career. If that proves fleeting, the integrative biology major hopes to earn his Ph.D. Little sounds better to him than days spent researching ways to make new varieties of plants.
“He’s done exactly what we’ve asked him to do. We haven’t had issues covering punts this year because he has hung the ball up there.” Sonny Dykes, Cal head coach, on punter Cole Leininger