Preseason hype can make or break players depending on how it is handled.
Auburn has learned it first-hand with quarterback Jeremy Johnson. He played in only a few games prior to this season, yet media members tabbed him as a dark horse for the Heisman Trophy and the Tigers to win the SEC West. Neither of those may pan out at this point.
JK Scott, a native of Denver, Colo., was a pleasant surprise for Alabama as a freshman last season. The golden boy averaged 48.0 yards per boot and pinned opponents’ inside the 20-yard line on 31 of 55 attempts. An above average year earned Scott freshman All-SEC and All-American honors from multiple sporting outlets. The sophomore became an obsession in the offseason, in which many deemed him as the “best punter in America.”
Too much of anything can be costly, and for Scott, the early success has caused him to push too hard instead of just focusing on his task, not out kicking Alabama’s coverage.
He appeared to have more fun last year, booming the ball in excess of 50 yards on numerous attempts. Scott has been trying to execute more on directional kicks, but has yet to get into a rhythm. Wet field conditions at Sanford Stadium can attribute to a few rough punts against Georgia, nevertheless he is averaging just 39.4 yards a boot this season.
Scott has three punts in excess of 50 yards and seven that have been downed inside the 20. Alabama head coach Nick Saban mentioned him in Wednesday’s press conference as an individual that needs to develop consistency.
Alabama is five games into this season and there is more football to be played.
Scott has an opportunity to work himself out of a “sophomore slump.” At 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, Scott has the ability to flip field position and force opponents’ to drive the ball downfield.
His lone challenge will be to play to his style.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
