The Clemson Insider gives a scouting report on every player on Clemson’s summer depth chart. We will break down what the player does best, what he needs to work on, how he compares to other former players at his position and where he fits on the Clemson roster.
Player name: Greg Huegel (5-11, 195)
Player position: Kicker
Years left of eligibility: 2 years
Current rank on depth chart: First team
Player productivity so far: Huegel joined the team in the summer of 2015 as a walk on. He has since blossomed into an All-American. In his first two years as Clemson’s kicker, he has made at least one field goal in 18 straight games, setting a Clemson record. He is 41-of-51 on field goals and 128-of- 135 on extra points over his career, with a total of 251 points scored. He is already third in Clemson history in career extra points, sixth in kick scoring, eighth in field goals made and ninth in total points scored. He ranks third among active ACC players in career scoring.
What player does best: In 2016, Huegel was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, and was a second-team All-ACC (media, coaches) selection. He made 14-of-19 field goals and set Clemson’s single-season record with 71 extra points for 113 total points. It marked the second straight year he scored at least 100. His 113 were fifth-most in a season in Clemson history.
What player needs to work on: Though he was much better with extra points last season, Huegel still missed two PATs. He made 71-of-73 PATs, but he needs to get that down to one or less, especially if he is thinking about kicking at the next level. Also, he had 37 touchbacks out of 97 kickoffs last year. That means 38 percent of time he kicked it deep into the end zone. Coaches would like to see that number come up as well.
Productivity of former Clemson players at the position (first and last year):
Ammon Lakip, 2014: In his one year as a starter he made 21-of-28 field goals and was 43-of-44 on extra points. He was 6-of-10 on kicks of 40 or more yards with a long of 49 yards. He led the team with 106 points.
Chandler Catanzaro, 2010: In his freshman year he made 14-of-22 field goals and was 34-of-34 on extra points. He was also 6-of-9 on kicks of 40 or more yards with a long of 48 yards. He led the team with 76 points.
Chandler Catanzaro, 2013: In his senior season he made 13-of-14 field goals and was 60-of-61 on extra points. He was also 4-for-4 on kicks 40 or more yards with a long of 51 yards. He led the team with 99 points.
Richard Jackson, 2009: In his only year as a starter he made 20-of-31 field goals and was 41-of-43 on extra points. He was 8-of-16 on kicks 40 or more yards, including 3-of-5 from 50-plus. He had a long of 53 yards. He was second on the team with 101 points.
Mark Buchholz, 2007: In his first year as a starter he made 22-of-36 field goals and was 48-of-48 on extra points. He was 6-of-17 on kicks 40 or more yards with a long of 52 yards. He led the team with 114 points.
Mark Buchholz, 2008: In his senior year he made 15-of-21 field goals and was 40-for-40 on extra points. He was 3-for-6 on kicks 40 or more yards with a long of 43 yards. He led the team with 85 points.
What can you hope for? Huegel continues to show improvement. He was 5-of-7 last season in kicks 40 or more yards after going 6-of-10 in his freshman year. He has yet to attempt a kick 50 or more yards. His career long is 47 yards.
What is a realistic expectation? Huegel progresses and continues to be one of the ACC’s best kickers. In his career, he is 30-of-34 on kicks inside 40 yards.
What about the future? Huegel has a chance to become the greatest kicker Clemson has ever had, and that is saying something with the kickers that have come through Tigertown over the years. But to do that it means he finishes the next two years of his eligibility before taking his talents to the NFL.
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