4-Star 2019 Arkansas K/P Garrett Childers Updates Season and Texas State Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The talents of Class of 2019 kicker/punter Garrett Childers are apparent, and growing. The strong-legged junior is already considered a four-star recruit by kicking guru Chris Sailer with time to improve upon is ranking status on the field and with upcoming specialist camps. But first, Childers is on a mission to help extend Jonesboro High School’s 2017 season into the Arkansas high school playoffs one kick at a time.

The full scope of Childers’ abilities will come into play during his senior year, but for now, he is pinning opposing 6A Arkansas teams back on kickoffs and punts. Childers is averaging 45 yards on kickoffs this season notching 20 touchbacks on 63 kickoffs. Aiding the defense, he has cultivated his talents in directional punting dropping the pigskin on a dime allowing his cover team to snuff out hopeful returns. Off 14 punts in 2017, Childers has covered 516 yards dropping four inside the 20-yard line with a 37-yard per punt average.

When the 2017 season ends, Childers will get the call to full-time duties on field goals and point after attempts. With talented senior kicker Collin Crawford hitting 6-of-7 field goal attempts with a long of 45 and nailing 33-of-36 point after attempts, understandable why the Hurricane coaching staff has stuck with the upperclassman. Until then, Childers has taken to practice and Chris Sailer camps to work on his field goal range, accuracy, and consistency. The 5-10, 175 pound, special teams standout is already looking ahead to camps with Sailer on Nov. 12 in Dallas and a Kohl’s kicking camp in December to expand his growing skillset against the best of the best around the country.

On the field, Jonesboro finished the regular season 5-5 with a tough opening round draw against defending 6A Arkansas state champions Russellville. The Hurricane hosts the 5-5 Cyclones in what is sure to be a battle until the game clock rolls triple-zeroes.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the emerging Arkansas talent covering his skillset on the field with a look ahead to the first round of the playoffs and an overview on his unofficial to Texas State on Saturday.

Interview

Garrett, how has your junior season gone on the field?

“It is going great. This year is really my second year of playing high School. My freshman year I was playing at the JV level. I am settled in on the high school feel of the game. My play on the field has increased this season. This has been a great season for me so far.”

How has your game improved?

“My game has improved by settling in and not being nervous. I have a better understanding of each situation during the game and what is expected of me. Knowing that I have the coaches’ trust helps a lot. That they know I can do my job. One improvement from last year is on my kickoffs. I have more touchbacks this year. Going from 7 to 20 touchbacks is one major improvement in my game.”

Which areas of your game are you constantly working on in practice week by week?

“My punting. Being a kicker and punter combo is difficult. The styles are two different forms. You have two different motions. With kicking, your leg and arm goes across your body. With punts, your arms are out and your leg is straight up. I used to swing my arms and my leg with my punts. I have worked on being more consistent with my form and straight up and down with the ball. I practice my drops a lot.”

What are the strengths of your game as a punter?

“My strength is directional punting. My coaches like to punt hash to numbers and along the sideline. I am pretty good at putting it where they want it. That is a key factor on our team on punts.”

What are the strengths of your game as a kicker?

“My field goals are good. I started kicking in eighth grade. Since then, I have increased my range 10 yards every year. This year in practice, the farthest I have hit on a field goal is a 60-yarder. Hopefully I can get stronger and keep backing up. I am consistent from 50-yards in with my field goals this year.”

Kickers always seem to have a side of the field they like a little bit more than the other. Do you have a favorite hash?

“I’m consistent on both hashes, but on the right hash I am a little stronger. I feel better on that hash. I have the same confidence on the right and left, but for some reason like the right a little bit more.”

The team gets a tough draw in the opening round of the playoffs against defending state champs Russellville, what kind of showdown should the fans expect on Friday?

“The fans should expect a very hard-fought battle. We are playing for our season and for our seniors. We will play for them and they will play for our season. We can’t wait to get out there and get on the winning side. We’ve had some tough losses this season but we are ready to go out there and ball out.”

I know some kicking camps are already starting up. Have you already started looking ahead to which camps you might attend this offseason?

“I’m going to a Chris Sailer camp on Nov. 12 (Sunday) in Dallas, Texas. I am scheduled for a Kohl’s kicking camp in December, that is their national showcase.”

What has you excited about competing in Sailer’s camp?

“I love Chris Sailer’s camps. He always put on a great camp. They make me feel like family there. All the coaches know the players. They call you by name. You feel welcomed and you get to compete against some of the best kickers in the world. It is a great experience.”

It is very early for you in the recruiting process, especially for a kicker and punter, but are any schools already showing recruiting interest in you?

“Texas State is showing interest but has not offered yet. I went on a visit there on Saturday. It was a game day visit (vs. New Mexico State).”

How did the visit go?

“It was great. I talked to Coach Michael George (director of player personnel). He was very nice and very welcoming. He said that he was glad that I came and said they would stay in touch.”

Are you playing any other sports for Jonesboro?

“Yes, sir. I play baseball.”

How is the team looking?

“We have a great team. We were the state runner-up last year and the state champs the year before that. We are looking forward to another great season in 2018.”

Which positions do you play?

“I am a pitcher and I play second and third base.”

What kind of pitcher are you? What do you throw?

“Last year they had me as a closer and reliver. Closer was my main role. I have three pitches, a fastball, curve, and change-up. I hit 84 mph on my fast ball. My curve drops off to 72 mph. My curve gets you off-balance.”

Garrett, thanks for your time today and good luck against Russellville.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits: PTP; Garret Childers in action