PRZ Mississippi Specialist’s Spotlight
Often times specialist are overlooked in football, whether it is in terms of notoriety, opportunities, or respect all together. We hear all the time that specialists are take up time and, inevitably, space on football team’s rosters. That misconception is…
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Continue ReadingOften times specialist are overlooked in football, whether it is in terms of notoriety, opportunities, or respect all together. We hear all the time that specialists are take up time and, inevitably, space on football team’s rosters. That misconception is far from the truth with the athletes I intend on recognizing in this piece. There are three games in the phase of football. Special teams and special teams participants are parts to a whole that are just as imperative to the game as any other position played on either side of the ball. Without talent and production out of your specialists it leaves an unwanted void in one of the three phases of the game of football. A void that costs several programs pivotal wins in close games over the course of a season. The specialists mentioned below are all assets rather than liabilities at their respective positions. They are talented student-athletes that have been overzealous in their production for each of their programs.
Max Zuluaga | 2024 K/P | Madison Central
Averaged 44yds per Kickoff, 7 Touchbacks, 4 Punts inside 20yd line ; Best K/P Specialist Award by Nation Kicking Ranking Camps.
Max Zuluaga is a two sport athlete by way of Madison Central. He is a 2021 State Champion, whom scored the first points for the Jaguars in the title game last year. Zuluaga went 8/8 on field goals made and attempted in his sophomore season. Over 14 games, a 100% average on FG percentage is tough to beat, and definitely no feat to scoff at. The longest field goal made by Zuluaga was from 45 yards out in a district game against Clinton. As far as PAT’s go, Max is pretty much automatic on those attempts as well, going 62/64 on the year for a 90% rating. He was slightly less effective in the kickoff and punt game. I would like to see him gain more strength in his legs over the off season. This improvement will inflate his kickoff and punt numbers adequately in comparison to his field goal and PAT numbers. Max is only a 2024 student-athlete, so I am sure that his numbers will surely rise this fall. I look forward to seeing where Max Zuluaga’s career grows, and what he blossoms into.
Evan Noel | 2025 K/P | St. Stanislaus
Averaged over 55yds per Kickoff, 22 Touchbacks, 14 Punts inside 20yd line, Season Long FG: 50yds
Evan Noel is an extremely talented kid as a 2025 prospect. He is showing flashes early on of being a big time specialist for the Rock-a-Chaws in the near future. Evan has a strong leg and it shows on film and in his production. He has successful field goal attempts at 35, 47, 48, and 50 yards that he made look fairly easy. Their is plenty of lift and height on his field goal attempts, and the majority of them were made with extra yards of cushion to spare once they split the uprights. His field goal attempts are not the only kicks of his to split the uprights. Evan is a touchback machine. He posted a gaudy 22 touchbacks in his freshman season last year. Several of Evan’s kickoffs sailed out of the back of the end-zone on his attempts, often leaving return men no choice but to walk back to the sideline in dismay. I was most impressed by his leg strength when kicking off, but he has skills when it comes to ball placement as well. Noel was able to get 14 of total punts to fall inside of the opposing teams 20 yard line. The skill-set possessed by Evan Noel as a 2025 prospective student-athlete is marveling to watch. He is one of the best high school kickers in the nation. Evan will receive the attention his skills warrant very, very soon.
Stuart Long | 2024 K | Tupelo Christian Prep
4,065yds on Kickoffs, 51.5yds per Kickoff, 20 Touchbacks ; Second in scoring for his team with 5.8 PPG
This 2024 student athlete is a kickoff specialist, but he doubles as Tupelo Christian’s place kicker as well. Stuart Long went 4/7 on his field goal attempts from his sophomore year. His execution time is a bit slow at times, but he makes up for it with the outstanding height he is able to create with the flight path of the football. Stuart did not attempt many field goals last year. Long’s best successful attempt was from 44 yards out. He managed to successfully attempt 64/67 PAT’s, which is a nearly perfect 96% conversion rate. However, Stuart notably made his money off of his kickoff attempts. With 20 touchbacks and more that 4,000 yards on kickoffs last year, it is clear to see where Stuart is most effective as a specialist. His longest kickoff on last year was a 61 yarder. As previously mentioned above, Long averaged almost 52 yards on each of his kickoff attempts. The majority of his kicks usually land somewhere inside of the opponents 10 yard line. Stuart has a strong leg and his film is indicative of so. I was also impressed by his placement of the ball on pooch kicks toward the side lines. I’m sure after a season like last year that Stuart long will follow up with a stellar season, which will soon land him many looks and offers from schools on the next level.