Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza is ridiculously decorated.
That’s what comes with winning the Ray Guy Award (college football’s top punter) and the nickname “Punt God.”
Among Araiza’s historic numbers in college football that he owns, includes, ranking first in FBS history in punt average (51.4 avg.), 60-yard punts (18) and 50-yard punts (39).
But Pro Football Focus broke down Araiza’s game and found an important fancy stat to like about his game. According to the football analytics outlet, Araiza led college football punters with 41 kicks landing inside the 20:
Matt Araiza: Led all Punters in College Football with 41 punts landing inside the 20 yard line last season
pic.twitter.com/3RbPrffhHE
— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) May 6, 2022
Naturally landing inside the 20 is something the Bills and head coach Sean McDermott will love. Make the other team work for more yards when their offense comes on the field.
Somehow, the San Diego State product was not the first punter selected at the 2022 NFL draft despite these accolades. That was good news for the Bills, who landed Araiza with the first selection in Round 6.
There are reasons for that, namely Araiza’s hang time and lack of experience as a holder. Buffalo punter Matt Haack had a poor 2021, but Araiza is not going to be handed the team’s punter job if he doesn’t prove himself in these categories.
But clearly if he does, there’s a lot to like about Araiza’s potential in the pros.
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