Do not place yourself in the crosshairs of Memphis senior placekicker Jake Elliott’s scope. I’m telling you while I can that’s called not a good idea.
Because if you do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agD7aTl_KMc
He’ll pull the trigger. And it’s going to cost you from way down town. You, and your team.
The regarded AAC marksman goes yard when he aligns his sights on the uprights. And it doesn’t much matter which hash mark he lines up on. Or, for that matter, how far out he’s kicking from. He usually splits the uprights after teeing off from just about anywhere on the football field. It’s not personal. Never is. It’s just business. Elliott pulls the trigger to one-up the conference opposition. He gets things done, more often than not.
That might have something to do with why he has been named a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports.
Jake Elliott named to Athlon Sports' preseason All-America team https://t.co/QHzNYo6ogQ #GoTigersGo #TigerFam pic.twitter.com/rg5kOSFbme
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) June 22, 2016
What’s up, Mr. Elliott? Good for you.
Naturally social media made sure that the Memphis kicker was properly acknowledged for his efforts.
Congratulations Jake Elliott, named semifinalist for the @LouGrozaAward: https://t.co/4ceYTIQwzj pic.twitter.com/7kUecqjkeX
— Memphis Tigers (@TigersAthletics) November 5, 2015
Jake Elliott named to Athlon Sports' preseason All-America team https://t.co/QHzNYo6ogQ #GoTigersGo #TigerFam pic.twitter.com/rg5kOSFbme
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) June 22, 2016
Kind of says it all. I thought this one was a little more animated.
When you make it through Field Goal period with no misses.https://t.co/y7rhcteKf6
— Gopher Specialists Alumni (@MinnSpecialists) October 26, 2015
Elliott is no stranger to this kind of attention. The U-of-M specialist was a finalist for last year’s Lou Groza Award, which is given each year to the best kicker in the country.
He was also named second-team All-American by Walter Camp.
He led all FBS kickers last year with a school record 128 points. A three-time All-American Athletic Conference selection, he converted 23-of-28 field goals last season and did not miss an extra point. Nearly 75 percent of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.
You think that’s something? Wait till he starts driving them from out in no man’s land on Sunday’s.
Elliott has become some kind of marksman for Memphis. A scouting report like that is going to make some start to speculate what it is that sets his pinpoint placement on the football field apart from the rest of the FBS.
It might have something to do with the fact that Elliott has offseason workouts with Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Stephen Gostkowski.
It’s true. A former Memphis place kicker, Gostkowski used to hold nearly every kicking record for the football program. Until one after another, many of his single-season marks were eclipsed by Elliot.
“Gostkowski comes to Memphis for a few weeks in the offseason,” Elliott said, via The Chicago Tribune. “And it gives me a chance to meet up. He comes out and we train together. I try to pick up a few things from him; I don’t think he learns anything from watching me.”
Maybe not. Doesn’t matter. Elliott’s leg commands respect on kickoffs. He can really drive the football and his strategic placement of the football when asked to do situational kicking has helped Memphis lead the FBS in kickoff return defense.
Opponents averaged just 14.90 yards per return last season.
He has deep range for field goal attempts. And his tendency to be on point is going to generate irritation of the highest possible order for next level special teams coordinators. This specialist is nothing short of a 2013 Graham Gano.
His draft stock is climbing as we speak. And he has already arrested the next level’s undivided attention. Regional conference opposition doesn’t want any part of this special team’s sniper. The FBS folds. Power 5 programs just don’t have an answer.
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