'15 MA K Justin Yoon (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[Ironman8]

Right on great commitment.

Can we recruit a punt return unit now?

Shaun Crawford should be able to help with this starting in '15.

 

[aubeirish]

What's a Koonja?

 

[irishff1014]

Nice addition to the class. Always good to have an excellent kicker on the team.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Notre Dame commitment <a href="https://twitter.com/JYoonit21">@JYoonit21</a> Justin Yoon kicked his way into the <a href="https://twitter.com/UnderArmour">@UnderArmour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AllAmericaGame">@AllAmericaGame</a> last weekend at <a href="https://twitter.com/KohlsKicking">@KohlsKicking</a></p>— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDatRivals/statuses/491617718698012673">July 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[PANDFAN]

247Sports has had Milton (Mass.) Academy three-star kicker Justin Yoon as its top kicking prospect nationally since early June.

However, up until recently, the 5-11, 185-pound Notre Dame commit was No. 2 on the rankings provided by Jamie Kohl of Kohl's Kicking Camps. Yoon earned a well deserved bump and is now Kohl's No. 1 kicker in the country and it's an honor that Yoon felt honored to receive.

“That meant to much to see," said the 2015 Irish commit after being named the top kicker nationally. "There are a bunch of phenomenal kickers across the country and it means so much being the top guy. Being No. 1 comes with a lot of expectations and everyone is looking at me to perform well and I’m planning on living it up to it. I’m going to continue to work hard and not get complacent. This is just the beginning.

"I’ve been working with Coach Kohl for a long time and I improved a lot this summer. I actually earned an invite to the Under Armour All-American Game and I think that factored into the decision to be the No. 1 kicker because he recommended me for it.”

On his website, Kohl shared his thoughts on Yoon and the type of player headed to South Bend.

"Justin has performed well at multiple Kohl's events. His smooth stroke and ability to get great height on his FG's and KO's has made him a rare kicker. Justin's ability to focus and handle pressure is very impressive. He has solid FG range out to 60 yards away and has clocked a 4.4 hang-time with us at a camp. He is rare prospect and should be an outstanding college kicker. He's been selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game.

Yoon Named Top Kicker In America By Kohl's Kicking

 

[Wingman Ray]

247Sports has had Milton (Mass.) Academy three-star kicker Justin Yoon as its top kicking prospect nationally since early June.

I have to ask. How can you be the top kicker in the country and be a 3 star? I know kickers tend to get the shaft along with centers in the star department but that doesnt makes sense to me. The "stars" are supposed to be an indication of "pro potential". Would not the #1 kicker who has a 4.4 hang time and a 60 yard FG range be considered to have "pro potential"?

 

[PANDFAN]

I have to ask. How can you be the top kicker in the country and be a 3 star? I know kickers tend to get the shaft along with centers in the star department but that doesnt makes sense to me. The "stars" are supposed to be an indication of "pro potential". Would not the #1 kicker who has a 4.4 hang time and a 60 yard FG range be considered to have "pro potential"?

the highest a kicker can be rated is a 3star

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I have to ask. How can you be the top kicker in the country and be a 3 star? I know kickers tend to get the shaft along with centers in the star department but that doesnt makes sense to me. The "stars" are supposed to be an indication of "pro potential". Would not the #1 kicker who has a 4.4 hang time and a 60 yard FG range be considered to have "pro potential"?

"Pro-potential" is also heavily influenced by position. Very few Ks get drafted, because they contribute significantly less on-field than a QB, WDE or CB. Thus, the 3 ceiling.

There are lots of problems with ranking high school kids based on NFL projections. But the low ceiling for Ks is at least consistent with the system they've adopted.

 

[Ndaccountant]

"Pro-potential" is also heavily influenced by position. Very few Ks get drafted, because they contribute is significantly less on-field than a QB, WDE or CB. Thus, the 3 ceiling on Ks.

There are lots of problems with ranking high school kids based on NFL projections. But the low ceiling for Ks is at least consistent with the system they've adopted.

Is it because they contribute less overall, or there is less of a drop off between the #1 kicker and the #10 kicker in the NFL?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Is it because they contribute less overall, or there is less of a drop off between the #1 kicker and the #10 kicker in the NFL?

That surely plays into it as well. The combo of skill and athleticism necessary to be an NFL K is far more common than it is for QB, WDE or CB, so it's not difficult to find guys who can do the job adequately. And even the best K in the world doesn't give you enough of an edge to merit a big salary discrepancy over the guys beneath him.

 

[Ndaccountant]

That surely plays into it as well. The combo of skill and athleticism necessary to be an NFL K is far more common than it is for QB, WDE or CB, so it's not difficult to find guys who can do the job adequately. And even the best K in the world doesn't give you enough of an edge to merit a big salary discrepancy over the guys beneath him.

Don't disagree, but this is where the stars system fails. In college, there is a much bigger discrepancy between the best kicker and an "average" kicker than in the NFL. So, while it is true a kicker is much easier to replace in the NFL, I don't think it is the case in college.

For example, I think of what OSU was able to do for all those years under JT. He would play the most conservative game since he could:
1. Trust his defense to not give up many points
2. His kicker could nail FG's and his punter could allow him to control the field position battle

Not many college teams could do that or do it today. However, in the NFL, it is much more common place. Needless to say, I think Yoon's importance to the class is probably understated at this point (matching his star ranking).

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Don't disagree, but this is where the stars system fails. In college, there is a much bigger discrepancy between the best kicker and an "average" kicker than in the NFL. So, while it is true a kicker is much easier to replace in the NFL, I don't think it is the case in college.

Only 13 Ks are ranked in 247's 2015 class. Of those, only 4 have a 3 Composite rating, while the other 9 are 2s. That means the vast majority of programs are going to be signing unranked Ks (if they keep one on scholarship at all). I think that adequately reflects the relatively importance of signing an elite K at the college level.

 

[pkt77242]

Only 13 Ks are ranked in 247's 2015 class. Of those, only 4 have a 3 Composite rating, while the other 9 are 2s. That means the vast majority of programs are going to be signing unranked Ks (if they keep one on scholarship at all). I think that adequately reflects the relatively importance of signing an elite K at the college level.

That just shows that recruiting sites don't reflect the importance of kickers at the college level (I am not arguing that programs view them as important either, just saying that that metric doesn't necessarily support your argument).

The thing is how many programs have lost multiple games because their kicker stunk (Oregon, Boise, FSU, etc). I think that most programs undervalue kickers, that is until they lose a big game because of it. In fact I think you see more and more top programs investing in kickers (LSU, Alabama, Florida, ND, Stanford, etc).

 

[Whiskeyjack]

That just shows that recruiting sites don't reflect the importance of kickers at the college level (I am not arguing that programs view them as important either, just saying that that metric doesn't necessarily support your argument).

The best NFL QBs make 5-6 times what the best K does. I think most people would agree that the salary differential there is largely reflective of the disparity in on-field contribution. The recruiting services use the same logic in rating the #1 QB as a 5 and the #1 K as a 3.

The thing is how many programs have lost multiple games because their kicker stunk (Oregon, Boise, FSU, etc).

But if your 5 QB, WDE or CB makes a couple key plays, the K never gets put on the spot in the first place.

I think that most programs undervalue kickers, that is until they lose a big game because of it.

I'm not arguing about how most programs value their kickers. I'm arguing that: (1) positional disparities in NFL salaries largely reflect the differences in on-field contributions; (2) the recruiting services have chosen to rank high school football players in a similar position-sensitive manner; and (3) that's why Ks have a 3 ceiling.

You could argue that (2) is counterproductive, but the system is at least logically coherent.

In fact I think you see more and more top programs investing in kickers (LSU, Alabama, Florida, ND, Stanford, etc).

I agree completely. If, as the HC of a college program, you can attract one of those 13 ranked Ks to your school, you'd be a fool not to sign him. An elite K is always going to contribute more to your on-field success than, say, the 4th string MLB. But I don't have a problem with the recruiting services recognizing the relative importance of certain positions by capping Ks at 3.

 

[pkt77242]

The best NFL QBs make 5-6 times what the best K does. I think most people would agree that the salary differential there is largely reflective of the disparity in on-field contribution. The recruiting services use the same logic in rating the #1 QB as a 5 and the #1 K as a 3.



But if your 5 QB, WDE or CB makes a couple key plays, the K never gets put on the spot in the first place.



I'm not arguing about how most programs value their kickers. I'm arguing that: (1) positional disparities in NFL salaries largely reflect the differences in on-field contributions; (2) the recruiting services have chosen to rank high school football players in a similar position-sensitive manner; and (3) that's why Ks have a 3 ceiling.

You could argue that (2) is counterproductive, but the system is at least logically coherent.



I agree completely. If, as the HC of a college program, you can attract one of those 13 ranked Ks to your school, you'd be a fool not to sign him. An elite K is always going to contribute more to your on-field success than, say, the 4th string MLB. But I don't have a problem with the recruiting services recognizing the relative importance of certain positions by capping Ks at 3.

I would agree at the NFL level that the difference between the best kicker and the average kicker is very slight. I would add that it is part of the reason that kickers wages are so low (it is hard to bargain when you are readily replaceable) in comparison to a QB where there is a huge difference between the best QBs and the average QB (drives up the price). At the college level there is a distinct difference between the best kickers and the average kicker. I don't think that there has ever been a K who deserves a 5 rating but I do think that some of the best have deserved a low 4 rating.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I don't think that there has ever been a K who deserves a 5 rating but I do think that some of the best have deserved a low 4 rating.

That's reasonable, though I think you'd agree that they're pretty rare.

 

[koonja]

I'm excited to see Yoon. I know Brindza has a solid FG %, but he still makes me nervous whenever he lines up for a FG, IDK why.

 

[pkt77242]

I'm excited to see Yoon. I know Brindza has a solid FG %, but he still makes me nervous whenever he lines up for a FG, IDK why.

Maybe it is because it looks like a LB (6'1" 235) is about to kick the ball.

 

[pkt77242]

That's reasonable, though I think you'd agree that they're pretty rare.

Agreed.

 

[ndfi78]

I'm excited to see Yoon. I know Brindza has a solid FG %, but he still makes me nervous whenever he lines up for a FG, IDK why.

Depends on if it is an important kick or not.

Slightly tongue in cheek but there is some truth to it. Brindza is pretty damn clutch in pressure situations but there have been some WTF?!?!? moments where he has missed easy kicks.

 

[#1rish]

Like that extra point he missed against Pitt in '12. Held my breath when we went for the 2-pt conversion with 2 minutes left.

 

[NDWorld247]

Not really a 70-yd FG, but if he kicks off from the 35-yd line, he's putting it in the back of the end zone as a senior in HS. Wait til Longo gets ahold of him

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>No.1 prospect Justin Yoon nailing 70-YD field goals during halftime, no big deal <a href="https://t.co/LuB8wn4inL">https://t.co/LuB8wn4inL</a></p>— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) <a href="https://twitter.com/nweitzer7/status/513388293753696256">September 20, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Solid leg for a 17 or 18 year old.

 

[anarin]

Solid leg for anyone.

FIFY

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

FIFY

Uhhh no when you turn 20 any man can kick a football about 70 to 85 yards. Can you not?

 

[Irish8248]

Uhhh no when you turn 20 any man can kick a football about 70 to 85 yards. Can you not?

They're called some division one kickers and most soccer players

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> commit expected to miss remainder of senior season due to an injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews">@BGInews</a> has the latest. <a href="http://t.co/BOR2w8r4Sn">http://t.co/BOR2w8r4Sn</a> (VIP)</p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/514046861397590016">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> commit expected to miss remainder of senior season due to an injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews">@BGInews</a> has the latest. <a href="http://t.co/BOR2w8r4Sn">http://t.co/BOR2w8r4Sn</a> (VIP)</p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/514046861397590016">September 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
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sucks for him

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Anyone care to post what happened to him? Is it a recurrent use injury or trauma?

 

[Grahambo]

Anyone care to post what happened to him? Is it a recurrent use injury or trauma?

"I have three fractured, chipped vertebrae in my back from taking a knee back there," said the 5-11, 185-pounder. "My snapper snapped a ball over my head and I ran after it and dove on it and then another guy came from behind and I got a knee in the back.