 "Photo: Mitch Alcala/O’Collegian")
Of the toughest positions in football to replace, punter isn’t often the first that comes to mind.
However, when your duty is to succeed the nation’s top punter and Ray Guy Award winner, Matt Fodge, the expectations are a bit different.
Four games into the season redshirt freshman Quinn Sharp seems to be handling it with ease.
Entering college, Sharp was ranked No. 1 in the country by Rivals.com and No.2 by Scout.com.
At any other school, Sharp likely would have been a starter but, at Oklahoma State, Sharp would have to gracefully wait his turn.
Redshirting last year and having the opportunity to mature and learn from a player like Fodge was something Sharp said he had no problem doing.
“It’s always nice to learn from others,” Sharp said. “(Fodge) taught me some things punting wise, and taught me an edge on the side of the mental game.”
Whatever Fodge taught Sharp seems to be helping, as Sharp is leading Big 12 and is second in the nation in average yards per punt with 48.9, according to ESPN.com.
Coach Mike Gundy said he is thrilled with Sharp’s performance, both with his punting and kickoff duties but said it is his kickoffs that have been a great asset for the Cowboys.
“When you drive the ball as deep as he does it makes it much easier to cover,” Gundy said. “We’re very excited about having him for three and a half more years.”
Sharp’s teammates could not agree more. Redshirt freshman tight end Cooper Bassett said he feels lucky to have a punting unit and kickoff team centered on a talent like Sharp,
“We’re so blessed and lucky to have Quinn, or Quinny, as I like to call him,” Bassett said.
“He’s proving that everything that was said about him in high school was true.”
The only person not enjoying Sharp’s success is junior running back and special teams member Taylor Sokolosky.
“It’s been so great playing with Quinn,” Sokolosky said. “But it definitely isn’t as fun because he kicks so many touchbacks, so we never really get to run down and tackle anybody.”
“So many touchbacks” might not quite be an accurate enough way to describe Sharp’s success this year. Sixteen of Sharps’ 18 kickoffs have resulted in a touchback. In 2008, of OSU’s 95 kickoffs, only 13 resulted in touchbacks.
Sharp said he is relying on his motivation to continue his consistency and success.
“I didn’t get to play last year, but it was a great year for me to redshirt,” Sharp said. “I got to learn from Matt Fodge, and now it’s fun to get out there and do the best I can. I want to help out our team anyway I can.”
2 comments