Interview: Alabama 2018 Talent Evan McPherson Thriving as Nation’s Top Kicker

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Everyone with a competitive spirit wants to be the best at what they do. The drive for excellence serves as motivation for most trying to reach the pinnacle of their craft. For Alabama Class of 2018 combo kicker/punter Evan McPherson, he is atop his peer group setting the tone for the rest of the nation working hard to keep his spot as the best of the best.

McPherson has been working on his craft at the varsity level for Fort Payne High School since his eighth grade season. Very few underclassmen get the nod to take the field so early in their career especially for an eighth grader, but head coach Paul Ellis recognized the budding talent. McPherson has not disappointed hitting at least six field goals during the 2016 season with a long of 52-yards earning Class 6A Special Teams MVP at the end of his junior season.

If there is any motivation left for McPherson (6-0, 165) out on the field during the off-season that would be the fight for being ranked the No. 1 punter in the nation. McPherson is the No. 1 ranked field goal kicker in the nation by kicking expert Chris Sailer and is ranked the No. 2 punter behind fellow five-star Jake Camarda. With kicking camps coming up all over the country and Chris Sailer’s well-known Las Vegas Top 12 camp set for the weekend of May 13, McPherson has a chance to claim the top spot while putting up a fight in the field goal competition to remain the best in his class.

The big leg talents of McPherson on kickoffs, field goals, and punts has been noticed by top Division-I programs with Miami, Iowa State, Army, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Mississippi State already dropping offers. That list could expand with LSU, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and California all showing various levels of interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the top field goal kicker in the nation to get the inside story on his high school career thus far along with insight on how he stays motivated to remain No. 1.

Interview

When did you start developing your skills as a punter and kicker?

“I started kicking about fourth or fifth grade. I have an older brother who was a kicker. I have kicked since then. I started punting as freshman.”

What sports did you play in junior high that helped you develop your length strength?

“I played soccer, I still play it. I kicked for varsity in eighth grade.”

What was that like playing varsity ball as an eighth grader?

“It was a crazy experience. I did not know much. I was 5-4, 100 pounds. I looked pretty weird. It was fun. It helped me gain more confidence as I got older.”

Did you do well during your eighth grade, freshman, and sophomore seasons?

“Eighth grade was a little rough at first but I picked it up. My ninth grade season was good and my sophomore season was a good year too.”

What specific workouts do you do to help increase the power in your kicks?

“I do the regular workouts with the team and then I go run for an hour at soccer practice.”

How has your punting improved over the past two seasons?

“It has really improved a lot. I used to be an okay punter, but now I know I can do it at the college level. I can punt if a college wanted me to.”

What was the hang time on average for your punts last year?

“Last year I averaged 44 yards with a 4.0 hang.”

What goals have you set for senior year?

“On field goals – no misses. That is my main goal. I’m trying to get my unit better with my snapper and holder. I’m trying to get them where they need to be. My holder next year is my younger brother. He’s an eighth grader. That’ll be fun.”

Are you going to haze him some for fun out on the field?

“Yeah some but mostly to help him get ready for his high school career. Hopefully I will help him like my older brother (Louisiana Tech senior) helped me.”

What is your range on with your field goals?

“In-game I feel comfortable from 50 in. Kicks over 50-plus yards are bonus kicks. They are the fun ones. In-game I feel like I can make inside of 55.”

What is the longest field goal you have connected on in practice or during a camp?

“In-game last year I kicked a 52-yarder. In practice my longest is a 70-yarder.”

Wow. Was there some wind helping you or was that all leg?

“There was some wind. You gotta get a little bit of help. The 52-yard in-game kick was with no wind.”

What is your comfort zone on field goals?

“Wherever. It does not matter to me.”

What does the honor of being Chris Sailer’s No. 1 ranked kicker in the nation bring with you to the field every time you kick?

“It brings more competition. Everyone is out there to get your spot. Everyone wants to be No. 1. Every time I go out to kick I think about that and how I want to stay No. 1.”

Which Chris Sailer camp honors have you earned so far?

“It all started in the fall of 2016 at a camp in North Carolina. I was the camp champion there. That got me into Vegas. I went to Vegas and won the overall field goal kicking competition there. Then I went to the IMG Camp (Bradenton, FL) and won the underclassman challenge in the summer of 2016 there.”

Are you going to any upcoming Sailer camps?

“Yes. Since I won Vegas I get into all the camps for free. That will be nice. I plan to do all the spring camps and Top 12 this summer.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered?

“I have talked to LSU some, Texas, Cal, Wisconsin, and South Carolina.”

Which schools have offered you so far?

“Mississippi State, Miami, Iowa State, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Army.”

Have you unofficially visited any schools yet?

“Yes, sir. I visited Alabama during a camp, I’ve been to a Mississippi State Junior Day, South Carolina, and I am going to Miami on March 26.”

Do you have a commit date in mind to get it all behind you?

“I’m planning on doing it a week after I get back from Miami. I want to get it over with really. I have narrowed it down a little bit. I want to get it over with before the summer.”

What are the main influences that will help you pick your dream school?

“The main thing is that the football team has a kicking coach who can work with me one-on-one, not a running back coach that also coaches special teams. I want someone there that knows a lot about kicking that can help me get better.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.2.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT and got an 18.”

What is the most important goal for your senior year?

“Enjoy it. When you get to college football it is a job. It is an everyday job. I want to enjoy this last year and get ready for college football.”

Evan, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming camps and your visit to Miami.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 4 Evan McPherson connects on a field goal.

Photo credit: ChrisSailerKicking.com; Evan McPherson at a Chris Sailer Kicking camp.