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2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Dec. 17-24 Bowls

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 17, 2016; Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws the ball during the second quarter against the UNLV Rebels at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Mount Pleasant, MI, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws the ball during the second quarter against the UNLV Rebels at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Hayden Hunt
Nov 12, 2016; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams punter Hayden Hunt (49) looks on from the sidelines in the third quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. The Falcons won 49-46. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Potato Bowl: Punters Hayden Hunt (Colorado State) and Austin Rehkow (Idaho)

With two teams lacking star power taking the field in the Potato Bowl, the game could come down to field position. Both schools have major weapons at the punter position, but which one excels in this game will determine the winner.

The two punters have had very similar seasons punting the football, but Hayden Hunt has been slightly better. He’s averaged 44.3 yards per punt with a net of 40.9 yards, which is best in the Mountain West Conference. He’s pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line 22 times with only two touchbacks.

Rehkow only the other hand, is averaging 42.6 yards per punt, which is more than three yards below his career average. His net of 40 yards ranks just outside the top 10 in the FBS. 23 of his punts have landed inside the 20 with just three resulting in touchbacks.

The one major difference between the two is on the field goal unit. Hunt holds for the Rams, while Rehkow doubles as the Vandals field goal kicker. He’s connected on 90% of his field goal attempts and made all 39 of his extra points. Whichever way this game goes, the two punters will play a major role. Both could potentially land with a team after the 2017 NFL Draft, so how they perform in a bowl setting will be what scouts are watching.

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