Kickers and punters have had a long tradition in the Orlando area of taking their talent to the next level. While only a handful have been so fortunate to escalate their skills to the NFL level, like the Townsend brothers — Johnny and Tommy — from Boone High, many have turned their trade into free opportunities at the collegiate level.
The top high school senior kickers this year are Kason Mullis at Jones High, Christopher McKenna at South Lake in Groveland, and Liam Henderson of Leesburg. One junior kicker also stands out in Brayden Buehler of Harmony.
Mullis said the key in recruiting for kickers is patience and understanding the game. Colleges do not offer kicking scholarships to high school seniors very often, and when they do, it will come at the end of the recruiting cycle. Many times kickers are offered spots as preferred walk-ons, which can develop into scholarships.
Johnny, Tommy Townsend share close bond, passion for punting
Mullis came to Jones last year from Bartow High, looking for an opportunity at a state-title contender. He kicked a 53-yard field goal earlier this year and has kicked a pair of 45-yarders.
Mullis has had conversations with coaches at UCF, Southern Miss and Delaware but no solid offers.
“It can be frustrating, in a way, but it’s not for me because I understand it, especially for kickers now, with the roster limits going down,” he said. “But I don’t really get frustrated by it. I just gotta wait patiently.”
Buehler has had 23 field-goal attempts this year for Harmony, making 14 — which is an Orlando area record. That’s an unusual number of attempts for a high school kicker, but coach Don Simon has full confidence in him. Buehler’s career long is 52 yards last season.
Christopher McKenna at South Lake has a career best field goal of 47 yards and he also averages 43.3 yards per punt. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
Coach Brad Lord at South Lake also takes advantage of his kicker-punter McKenna, who is ranked No. 21 in the country by Kohl’s Kicking. He has a field goal best of 47 yards and has averaged 43.3 yards per punt.
“He has one of the strongest legs in Central Florida and he’s an excellent tackler, so he’s great as a safety on kickoffs,” Lord said. “He’s self-taught and relentless. He’s huge for us on both offense and defense.”
The position of long snapper has provided numerous college scholarship opportunities for Central Florida football players over the years and the popularity of the position, as well as the talent level, has become greater than ever.
Edgewater senior Aiden Hiatt is hoping to take his long-snapping skills to the next level with a college scholarship. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
Former Lake Mary star Rocco Underwood, who has been the regular long snapper at Florida since the 2022 season, likely will be snapping on future Sundays in the NFL.
Brady Hiatt holds the snapping duties at undefeated Edgewater and is ranked No. 52 in the country according to Kohl’s Kicking.
“A lot of my family has been in it and taught me to do it and I’ve just been grinding a lot,” Hiatt said. “I started really late, but I’ve gotten really good. I train every day.
“I just need to focus on the details, not just the power, but like getting the spiral really tight. That’s what makes it fast.”
Hiatt is still seeking scholarship opportunities.
“I’m very active on Twitter and I e-mail coaches every night and DM them,” Hiatt said. “I’m really trying to get to that next level.”
Leandro Guiterrez at Hagerty is another star long snapper, but that’s not all he does.
Hagerty RB-LB-LS Leandro Gutierrez is one of the top long snappers in the country and will likely earn a college scholarship at the position. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
He will likely go to college as a top-tier long snapper, but the diminutive Gutierrez has had an impressive senior season. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back was one of the main reasons why Hagerty (6-4) is headed to the Class 7A state playoffs.
He led the team in rushing with 847 yards and 8 touchdowns, and also caught 18 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He also played linebacker and had 32 tackles.
As a long snapper, Gutierrez is one of the best in the country. He is ranked No. 65 by Kohl’s Kicking, with an average snap time of 0.72 seconds.
Gutierrez was also nominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFL Latino Youth Honors Award.
“Leo is a coaches dream. He starts at running back and linebacker and basically on every special team. He snaps punts and field goals and we never have to worry about that,” Hagerty coach Steve Mickles said. “But he is more than a football player. He does countless hours of community service, and carries over a 3.7 GPA. Leo spent most of his summer in leadership camps at different military schools across the nation. His service to other people will make a very successful person in college and in life.”
Top Orlando-area Special Teamers
Brayden Buehler, junior, K, Harmony, 6-2, 180
The only junior on the list, but he’s a good one. 14-of-23 field goals, 5 over 40 yards — set school record of 52 yards last year, also 49, 47, 46 and 44 yarders.
Landon Dodd, senior, P, East Ridge, 5-10, 155
Net average 40 yards with 3.78-secong hang time. Also holds on place-kicks.
Sebastian Gonzalez, senior, K, East Ridge, 5-8, 165
PAT accuracy this year 50-of-51. Career long field goal 43 yards.
Leandro Gutierrez, senior, LS, Hagerty, 5-11, 185
Rated 4.5 stars by Kohl’s Kicking. Snap time 0.72 seconds. Ranked No. 65 in the country.
Liam Henderson, senior, K-P, Leesburg, 6-3, 200
Rated 4.5 stars by Kohl’s Kicking. No. 86 kicker in the country. 8-of-11 field goals this season, longest 47 yards.
Brady Hiatt, senior, LS, Edgewater, 6-4, 180
Rated 4.5 stars by Kohl’s Kicking. Snap time 0.73 seconds. Ranked No. 52.
Ethan Lavoie, junior, LS, East Ridge, 6-0, 150
Snap-time average 0.75 seconds.
Kooper Luu, senior, K-P, Timber Creek, 6-1, 165
Career long field goal 52 yards. 14-for-14 on extra points this season. 41.78 punt average on 24 punts. Ranked No. 93.
Cayden McCoy, senior, K-P, Mount Dora, 6-0, 180
Career long field goal 54 yards. 4-of-5 on field goals. 23-23 on extra points. Punt average 40.3 yards. No. 94 punter.
Christopher McKenna, senior, K-P, South Lake, 6-4, 195
Rated 5 star by Kohl’s Kicking. 39-of-69 touchbacks. 6-of-9 field goals, career long 47 yards. Punting average 43.3, 8 inside 20.
James Phillips, senior, LS, Foundation Academy, 5-8, 210
Rated 4 stars by Kohls Kicking. Snap time 0.75 seconds.
Jermidave Santos Velez, senior, K, St. Cloud, 5-10, 165
Soccer player who only appeared in six games. Field goals of 36, 38 and 47 yards.
Chase Truesdell, senior, LS, Lake Mary, 6-2, 265
Rated 4.5 stars. Snap time 0.74 seconds. No. 73 ranking.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.