Profile on Dustin Hopkins: Kicker – Florida State

Former Chris Sailer Kicking alum Dustin Hopkins is about to enter the NFL draft following a record breaking, outstanding career at Florida State.

Hopkins’ legend at FSU started when, as a freshman, he nailed a 55 yard field goal to win the game against Clemson. The pressure packed kick came with 3 seconds remaining and the score tied.

In 2011, Dustin set a new record for FSU kickers when he connected on 109 straight PATs. He wouldn’t stop there however, going on to kick an amazing 145 straight, making it the 6th longest streak in NCAA history. In his senior year Hopkins set the NCAA Division I record for points ever scored by a kicker. His record stands at an amazing 448 points.

Now, he is entering the NFL draft as the number 1 kicking prospect in the country. Bleacher Report says this about Hopkins: “Strong and consistent fundamentals allow Hopkins to possess NFLeady kick power, both on field goals and kickoffs.” They go one to predict he could become a 10 year kicker in the league.

At Chris Sailer Kicking, we are proud of our alumni and wish him well in the draft. Chris is an exceptional athlete and his focus on fundamentals has, and will continue to, pay off. Congratulations to Dustin Hopkins. The NFL Draft begins Thursday April 25 and ends on April 27th. We’ll be watching!

-CSK

(143)

CSK Alum Getting Ready for Upcoming NFL Draft

Chris Sailer Kicking has produced its share of current and past NFL kickers and that trend will continue at this month’s NFL Draft on April, 25th in New York. CSK has a number of alumni who will potentially be taken in the Draft this year. This obviously is an impressive accomplishment due to the sheer fact that NFL teams rarely take Specialists in the draft, although it is becoming more popular as of late.

We will be watching closely as these former CSK Alums look to get drafted:

Dustin Hopkins, Kicker, Florida State (6-2, 190 lbs.)

In his senior season, Hopkins made 25-of-30 field goal attempts and became the NCAA FBS all-time leading kick scorer. Strong on kickoffs as well, he could be the first kicker selected.

Quinn Sharp, Punter/Kicker, Oklahoma State (6-1, 205 lbs.) 

Serving as Oklahoma State’s kicker and punter, Sharp has a big leg, as evidenced by punts with 5.0-plus seconds of hangtime and 70 percent of his kickoffs going for touchbacks. He might initially be a kickoff specialist but could develop into an NFL-caliber kicker or punter.

Others include:

Ryan Allen, Punter, Louisiana Tech (6-2, 215 lbs.)
Jeff Locke, Punter, UCLA (6-1, 203 lbs.)
Scott Kovanda, Punter, Ball State (6-3, 205 lbs.)

NFL CSK

Hopkins, Locke, Kovanda, Sharp, Allen at this year’s NFL Combine

Wishing these guys the all the best in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft. Stay Tuned…

Chris Sailer Kicking

(80)

“Punters are People Too” Movement all started with CSK Alum Bryan Anger

In last April’s NFL Draft, Rich Eisen of the NFL Network coined the expression “Punters Are People Too” and what has ensued since has been a mini movement of sorts throughout the NFL.  Eisen proclaimed the now famous expression after the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Punter and Chris Sailer Kicking Alum Bryan Anger (Cal) in the 3rd round of last year’s NFL Draft.

Since that day the “Punters Are People Too” movement has created a frenzy amongnst NFL locker rooms. This was never more apparent than this past season when the Super Bowl Champs Baltimore Ravens wore the “Punters Are People Too” T-shirts in support of their Punter Sam Koch.

Punters Are People Too – Ravens

So, Punters all around the world owe a big thank you to Bryan Anger for the recent and well deserved respect they have been given of late.

#Punters Are People Too

Chris Sailer Kicking

(1264)

Results…How do I determine them?

The definition of Results is:  a favorable or concrete outcome or effect.

One question we are consistently asked is, Does Chris Sailer Kicking provide results?  Results are determined by an individual and what they view a result to be, meaning people have their own idea of what a result can and should be.

 

 

The following are all types of “results” Kickers/Punters hope to achieve:

  • Better Technique
  • Better Consistency
  • Increased Exposure
  • College Scholarships
  • NFL Career

All of these “results” listed above have been achieved by many of the CSK alumni. Take this into consideration when choosing a camp, coach and personalized instruction. Ask yourself: Do they provide results?

The answer is clear at CSK, just take a look at our Alumni section on the website to see where all our former alumni are playing college or pro football.

Prior to attending a Kicking or Punting Camp always determine if they provide RESULTS!

 

(104)

The NCAA Clearinghouse and What I need to Know?

Student athletes graduating from high school will be looking toward college as another place where they can play and enjoy their favorite sports. They will be seeking college institutions that have NCAA Division sports. The NCAA is a membership organization that governs intercollegiate sports as every institution wanting to host NCAA teams must follow the rules and regulations of this organization. Each college is placed into three membership divisions (I, II and III) based on their size, the number of sports programs they have and what scholarships they offer.

What Is The NCAA Clearinghouse

The NCAA Clearinghouse, now known as the NCAA Eligibility Center, allows for student athletes to become certified as they are eligible to play in collegiate sports at a NCAA Division I or Division II college institution. Students are reviewed by the NCAA using a set criteria as they must have an acceptable academic record, good SAT/ACT scores and amateur status to qualify.

To become eligible, students must register with the Eligibility Center. This is normally done during their junior year but there is no deadline on when a student athlete can join. Students must register online and have the appropriate registration fee. Students must also send in their high school transcripts that detail at least six semesters of high school courses and their SAT/ACT scores when they take the standardized test. In addition to this, a student will have to send their proof of graduation and final transcripts upon graduating high school.

How To Qualify

Student athletes must take a certain number of core classes and have acceptable SAT/ACT scores to become eligible to play in intercollegiate sports at a NCAA Division I or Division II college. Every high school has a list of acceptable core courses that meet the NCAA guidelines. Students should talk with their counselor for an updated list of college core courses. Also, students must earn a minimum grade in these courses and graduate from high school to participate in the NCAA.

(109)

Chris Sailer Kicking Alumni Shine at NFL Combine!

Day 1 is complete at the 2013 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Today showcased the top specialists, lineman and tight ends in the country. Included in the specialist group were 5 Chris Sailer Kicking Alumni;

Dustin Hopkins (FSU)

Jeff Locke (UCLA)

Scott Kovanda (BSU)

Quinn Sharp (OSU)

Ryan Allen (LT)

Dustin Hopkins was the top performer running the forty in 4.74 and had vertical jump of 33.5. Who says Kickers aren’t athletic! NFL Scouts are reporting all 5 CSK alum performed very well and expect a few to get drafted in April’s NFL Draft. Stay tuned to see what NFL Rosters these 5 CSK alum end up on!

Chris Sailer Kicking #Next Level

 

Chris Sailer Kicking K/P’s at the NFL Combine: Dustin Hopkins, Jeff Locke, Scott Kovanda, Quinn Sharp, & Ryan Allen.

(131)

The Value of Exposure

The Definition of Exposure is: the condition of being presented to view or to be made known.

This definition couldn’t be more relevant to the ultra-competitive landscape of High School Football and College Recruiting. It is more important now than ever to expose your talents to various Universities looking for top-level talent. Obviously, there are many ways to do this especially with the rise of various technologies like YouTube, Social Media and recruiting websites. However, this is not enough, you need to surround yourself with camps, organizations and people who are connected to these various Universities and whose opinions and recommendations are taken into the highest of consideration.

Chris Sailer Kicking is this Organization. CSK offers the MOST exposure in the country for high school Kickers and Punters. When a College Football Program is looking for a top level Kicker or Punter CSK is its first stop. Chris Sailer Kicking covers all aspects of exposure for its players including; Camps, National Events, Online Media, Player Rankings, Player Profiles, Social Media and probably the most important is the relationships CSK has with major College Football programs.

This has never been more evident than the recent story of Nicolas O’Toole. O’Toole was a virtually unknown Punter at Fullerton JC in Southern California. That all changed in a matter of days after attending the Chris Sailer Kicking National Event last month, where O’Toole performed at a very high level. This performance landed him a Top 12 ranking by Chris Sailer. Major College Football programs wait for this covenant list to come out after every one of CSK’s National Events to see who is ranked where and which players are still available. O’Toole was snatched up immediately by West Virginia University and was offered a fullide scholarship as a Punter.  Click Here to read more about O’Toole.

Exposure: the condition of being presented to view or to be made known.

Chris Sailer Kicking

(135)

5 CSK Alumni will be Attending this Year’s NFL Combine

Chris Sailer Kicking is proud to announce 5 of our alumni will be participating in the 2013 NFL Combine on February 23-26th in Indianapolis, IN. To receive an invite to participate in the combine is a tremendous honor for any college player, but especially for Kickers & Punters. Out of all the college football programs in the country in all divisions only a total of 13 Kickers & Punters that have been invited to the 2013 NFL Combine.  This very exclusive group consists of almost half of Chris Sailer Kicking alum.

Here is a little bit about those 5 alumni:

Ryan Allen – CSK Alum

Jeff Locke – CSK Alum

Quinn Sharp – CSK Alum

Dustin Hopkins – CSK Alum

Scott Kovanda – CSK Alum

Kickers and Punters will participate on the first day of the combine in Indianapolis.

Stay Tuned for the upcoming NF Draft in April, to see where these 5 alumni end up!

Chris Sailer Kicking

(171)

Off Season, What Off Season?

In the world of Chris Sailer Kicking there is no such thing as an “off-season”! The attention to detail, skill level and overall reps in Kicking and Punting requires a year round effort. This type of training has to be consistent in order to achieve maximum results.

Chris Sailer Kicking offers a wide variety of options in regards to off-season training with Events spread throughout the country. CSK also offers 1 on 1 coaching, camps and clinics year round, contact us for more details.

Chris Sailer Kicking has a slew of Events upcoming this spring and they are listed below:

CA Nike Spring Camp
February 24, 2013
Los Angeles, CA
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame HS

TX Nike Spring Camp  
March 3, 2013
Dallas, TX
Cedar Hill HS

IL Nike Spring Camp  
March 17th, 2013
Chicago, IL
Downers Grove South HS

NC Nike Spring Camp  
April 13th, 2013
Charlotte, NC
William Amos Hough HS

GA Nike Spring Camp
April 14th, 2013 22
Atlanta, GA
Roswell HS

Prep Camp 
April 28th, 2013
Los Angeles, CA
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame HS

11th Annual Spring Event
May 4-5, 2013
Las Vegas, NV

Summer Events are posted on the Website.

(116)

National Signing Day Recap – Chris Sailer Kicking

 

 

 

 

Chris Sailer Kicking is proud to announce this years crop of Kickers and Punters that have signed national letters of intent to play at their respected schools. We couldn’t be more proud of these young men. Here is a list of today’s commits (click on their name to learn more about them):

 

Michael Geiger – Michigan State

Matt Wogan – Oregon

Connor Derby – Central Washington

Austin Macginnes – Kentucky

Daniel Cadona – Louisiana Lafayette

Jimmy Hutchinson – Auburn

Nicholas O’Toole – West Virginia

Jed Barnett – Oklahoma

Matt Anderson – CAL

Ty Cummings – Houston

Cameron Van Winkle – Washington

Sean Covington – UCLA

Joey Cejudo – Youngstown State

Jonathan King – Tennessee Tech

Jonathan Barnes – Louisiana Tech

Cody Thornton – Graceland

Mitchell Howard – Army

Joe Pierik – Cornell

Chris Callahan – Baylor

Canon Rooker – Middle Tennessee

Bryan Holmes – Yale

Blake Brewer – Charlotte

Austin Shoemake – Southern Arkansas

Colin McGuire – Fresno State

Stephen Brauchle – Louisiana Lafayette

Aron Morgan – Penn

Brett Rattan – Stephen F. Austin

Roldan Alcobendas – Eastern Washington

Mateo Buraglia – Bucknell

Joseph Occhipinti – Western Kentucky

Sean Slattery – Illinois State

Ike Fuchs – Wesleyan

Tyler Sarrazin – Southern Miss

Michael Mesh – Kansas

Mitchell Ludwig – Virginia Tech

Nick Neidig – Southern Illinois

Robert Boggs – Air Force

James McGee – Arkansas Monticello

Alex Gakenheimer – Dartmouth

Ben Kepley – Dartmouth

Brandon McKee – South Alabama

Luc Swimberghe – Sam Houston State

Dylan Torgerson – Mayville State

Colby Wadman – UC Davis

 

Preferred Walk Ons:

Andrew Antognoli – Notre Dame

Elliott Fry – South Carolina

Andrew Gantz – Tennessee

Cody Wicker – Texas A&M

Will O’Briant – North Carolina

Chris Gulla – Penn State

Bret Miller – Arizona

Redford Jones – Tulsa

JJ McGrath – Michigan

Spencer Landfried – North Carolina

Alex Louthan – West Virginia

Mikael Sroka – UTEP

(102)