Punahou HS 5-star P/K Jet Toner Talks Kicking ahead of Top Gun Showcase in Ohio

Written by Ryan Wright

The sports world is full of descriptive terms to help convey, setup, or describe a game, a play, or even a player. When talking about Punahou High School punter/kicker Jet Toner, who has one of the coolest names in the 2016 recruiting class, many words come to the forefront like talented, laidback, and modest.

When speaking to Toner one would never know he is the top rated punter in the nation. Kicking guru Chris Sailer has the Hawaii native ranked as a 5-star atop his list of nearly 100 punters nationwide. When answering questions about his abilities one is more apt to get an aw-shucks kind of response instead of a rapid fire of first-person responses.

The 6’3”, 185 pound, talent was exceptional as a junior hitting 6-7 field goals with a long of 53 yards, the one missed field goal was blocked. On kickoffs he sailed 46 of 56 into the end zone for a touchback. On point after attempts he hit 54 of 58. Toner helped his team to an 8-1 record in 2014 making the championship game before falling to Mililani 53-45.

The odd twist to being the top punter in the nation, he didn’t even punt for Punahou, senior Alexander Trifonovitch, who took his talents to the University of Hawaii, closed out his prep career punting for the Buff n’ Blue.

A perspective on the amount of talent Punahou had in 2014, five guys went Division-I; DE Canton Kaumatule (Oregon), OL Semisi Uluave (Cal), WR Kanawai Noa (Cal), LB Ronley Lakalaka (San Diego State), and Trifonovitch. At least three more players are expected to go D-I off the same team in 2015; QB Ephraim Tuliloa (6’2”, 228), RB Wayne Taulapapa (5’11”, 202), and Toner.

Over the last two years Jet has racked up a mantle filling amount of trophies and honors just through the Chris Sailer kicking camps and competitions alone. Some of the honors earned include:
Member of the “Top 12”
2014 Vegas Spring Event Punt Finalist
2014 Vegas Spring Event Field Goal Finalist
2014 Vegas Spring Event Class of 2016 Punt Champion
Member of the “Event Elite”
2014 Underclassmen Event Punt Champion
2014 HI Summer Camp Punt Champion
2015 Vegas XXV Punt Finalist

Before the excitement of the season begins Toner has one more peak to climb, a very important one at that. The Top Gun High School Showcase being held in Dublin, Ohio July 16-18 will help fill the roster for the U.S. Army All-American game. If Toner shows out this weekend he’s in the big game at season’s end. Talking to him just days ahead of the Top Gun High School Showcase one would never know what is right around the corner, he seemed as relaxed as one could be living in paradise.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Toner to get an inside perspective on what makes the nation’s top punter better than the rest. Jet also gave us a little insight on Buff n’ Blue’s 2015 season and an update on his recruiting.

Interview
Jet, how did Punahou end up with an 8-1 record and play in a championship game?

“Yeah, we didn’t have too many games last year. We’re in the private school league so there’s not too many teams. In the playoffs we only played two games and lost one. One of our preseason games got cancelled too.”

What did the team learn from last year that can be taken into the 2015 season to help the team be even better?

“Last season was a shorter season. We lost in championship game so I think we’ve got some fire back from that. We learned, I guess, more about ourselves and coming together. We had some pretty important games that we played. We can learn a lot from our championship game and come back hungry this season.

“I think we’ll have an edge coming into the season, to go that far and then lose it in the end is rough. Our coaches and everyone has done a good job of keeping focused. We’re a disciplined team – I think we’re ready.”

The team has two offensive playmakers coming back (QB Ephraim Tuliloa and RB Wayne Taulapapa), as a kicker that has to be exciting knowing you’re going to get a lot of opportunities to put points on the board.

“Definitely, we have a lot of talent on offense. We’re looking good. It’ll be fun.”

Will you be handling all kicking duties this year now that Trifonovitch has graduated?

“Yes.”

What’s your mindset going into the season knowing that you’re handling all of the kick duties?

“I punted in JV when I was younger. I guess nothing changes too much, I guess it’s just one more thing to focus on. Our special teams have always been strong. Our coaches are great. We have really strong players that play big roles for us on special teams. I think it’s just going to come down to focusing on everything a little bit more.”

What are you strengths on the field as a punter?

“I have a big frame and since I’m pretty tall I get good leverage on the ball because of my height. I have pretty good hand-eye coordination where I can find the sweet spot. If it gets dropped on the inside I can save it. I guess also the attention to detail. With punting everything goes down to the smallest detail. If your drop is a millimeter inside you can pull it left. That’s what makes a great punter, the attention to detail.”

What about your strengths as a field goal kicker? You obviously have a really strong leg nailing a 53-yarder in a game. Where do you get the explosion on the ball? I know the form is different with kicks so the leverage you get in punts is something completely different.

“Right. I guess field goals are a lot like punts there is a lot of technique. Technique is more important than power a lot of times. Just focusing on that technique, leg speed, and strength helps of course. Again, having a tall frame helps.”

What individual honors did you earn at the end of last season?

“I was First-Team All-State kicker and Special Teams Player of the Year for my high school.”

When you take off to the collegiate level do you hope to punt, kick, or punt and kick? What’s your mindset there?

“Not too many people can do both at the next level. I think it helps to do both so I’m going to keep my options open. Wherever I go and whatever I’m doing my best at and whatever helps my team the most I’ll do.”

What makes it difficult for players at the next level to punt and kick while guys like you at the high school do both well?

“I guess the difference really is having two talented guys that can focus on just one skill during the game. It’s almost like having a two-way player. Not that you get tired but you can focus on just kicking field goals. The form and techniques are different. You have to be really talented to do both at the next level. You have to kick the ball an extra 10 yards. In high school there is more room for mistakes than college.”

You are well decorated from a lot of the punt and field goal competitions that Chris Sailer has conducted over the past two seasons. When you compete at one of the camps how is the punting competitions broken down to pick a winner?

“The competitions are broken down by hang time and distance. Best of each is the best punter. Usually you’ll get the best guys based on the results from the camp. The next level, he (Chris) sets a certain hang time and punt distance you have to get past to move onto the next round of the competition.”

What is your best hang time on a punt?

“Probably 5.0.”

What was the distance on the punt?

“Probably around 53-55 yards.”

What is your best distance on a punt on the fly, not including a crazy roll where it bounces for another 30-40 yards after it hits the groun?

“Probably around 53-55 yards.”

What is your average punt distance?

“My average punt distance is probably 45-50 I guess.”

As a punter flipping the field for the defense is important put so is pinning the other team down inside the 20 yard line especially inside the 5. Are you good at directional punting and placing the ball where you want it to go?

“Not to brag, but yeah, I’ve been working on that all summer and over the past couple of years. It’s an important skill. A lot of colleges look for that. My high school is a directional punting team.”

What is your trick to directional punting?

“I just keep the field straight. Chris Sailer is big on keeping everything straight. Just make it as simple as possible. If you’re kicking left then draw that line left instead of straight.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“To put up pretty good stats, and help my team out of course. We’ve always had a good special teams unit there. The Coaches, our coach Eric Hannum, coached at Ka’imi Fairbairn who is at UCLA. I just want to do my best and of course you want to be an all-state player or All-American. But I just want to do my best do what I have been training for and help my team.”

Which college camps did you go to during the offseason?

“I went to Stanford, UCLA, and USC. All the schools have great special teams programs. I learned a lot from the camps.”

I know UCLA just took on a punter (Sailer ranked No. 2 Bailey Raborn). Where was everything left with USC and Stanford with you? Are either one of those two schools taking a punter this year?

“USC, they’re not looking to take anyone. The Stanford camp went really well. I really enjoyed the coaching staff and the campus.”

Are you going to any camps this summer?

“I’m going to the All-American camp with Sailer this weekend.”

Good luck with that.

“Thank you.”

That’s in Ohio, how long of a flight will that be for you?

“I have no clue yet (laughs). I think eight or nine hours.”

Are other schools showing interest in you right now?

“Not too much. I’m just keeping my options open. There are some but none that are too serious or that are really pursuing me yet other than Stanford and Army.”

And you have an offer from Army right?

“Yes.”

Are there any NFL or college players you like watching kick?

“I really like Matt McBriar (Broncos, Seahawks, Cowboys, Eagles, Steelers, and San Diego Chargers), he’s an old time guy. He went to UH. He also played with my kicking coach at UH.

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love the role I play. I love the culture, the practices, and the situations that I am put in.”

 

Photo credit: ChrisSailerKicking.com; Jet kicks at a Chris Sailer camp.
Photo credit: 2014 Scoring Live; Jet Toner kicks during a Punahou High School game.