Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 224
40: 4.85
Year: 5Sr
Matthew Dodge
School: East Carolina
Position: P
Bio: Three-year starter after transferring from Appalachian State. All-Conference selection as a senior after averaging 45.8 yards on 67 punts with a long of 73. Had one punt blocked last year. Kicked 22 punts were 50 yards or longer. Junior season included a 43.9-yard average after 41.3 yards as a sophomore.
Positive: Large, strong-legged punter who can kick his team out of a jam. Fluid getting the ball off his foot, gets great hang time on punts and turns the ball over. Gives coverage teams enough time to get downfield and make a play. Built like a linebacker and gets down the field to make the tackle as necessary.
Negative: Must quicken the pace and get the ball off his foot faster. Average directional punting skills.
Analysis: Dodge has the physical skills and leg strength to make it at the next level but needs to just brush up on the details of his position. He would be more enticing to teams if he was a better directional punter yet solid prospect at his position.
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 240
40: 4.99
Year: 5Sr
Zoltan Mesko
School: Michigan
Position: P
Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-American and All-Conference honors the past two seasons. Led the Big 10 last year, finishing with an average of 44.46 yards on 52 punts. Had 17 punts of 50 yards or better with a long of 66 yards. Junior numbers included a 43-yard average on 80 punts with a long of 63 yards.
Positive: Big, athletic punter who displays a strong leg. Possesses a fluid stroke kicking the ball, gets excellent hang time and can flip the field. Solid job kicking his team out of jams and gets hang time on punts, allowing coverage units to get down the field. Adequate skills as a directional punter. Large enough to get downfield and make the tackle if necessary.
Negative: Very slow getting the ball off his foot. Overall punting lacks quickness. Looks terrible during Senior Bowl week.
Analysis: For the most part, Mesko has been effective and consistent throughout his college career. He offers the leg strength to play at the next level yet must find a way to hasten his delivery and get the ball off his foot quicker to have any chance of making a team.
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 229
40: 5.32
Year: 5Sr
Jon Vanderwielen
School: Idaho State
Position: P
Bio: All-Conference punter the past two seasons. Averaged 44.7 yards on 74 punts as a senior with a long of 76 yards. Also had three punts blocked last season. Junior totals included an average of 42.4 yards on 65 punts when he again he had three punts blocks.
Positive: Strong-legged punter who gets great hang time on the ball. Kicks moon shots, gives coverage teams time to get down the field to make plays, and can flip the field with long punts. Better than average job as a directional punter and can place the ball inside 10-yard line with consistency. Pins opponents deep in their own zone, and is willing to make the tackle when called necessary.
Negative: Lacks the smooth delivery that leads to block punts. Benefited from kicking indoors in a controlled environment.
Analysis: Vanderwielen has been a solid punter the past two seasons. He is a practice squad prospect who must improve the delivery and speed of his punts for any chance to make a roster.