BYU punter Ryan Rehkow punts throughout recreation on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Provo, Utah. Tyler Tate, Related Press
BYU’s Ryan Rehkow punts in opposition to San Diego State Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Provo, Utah. George Frey, Related Press
Punter Ryan Rehkow has a message for BYU soccer followers — and media members who cowl the Cougars — who could also be “freaking out a bit” over the kicking state of affairs at BYU with preseason coaching camp only a couple weeks away.
“I haven’t completely determined, however proper now I'm pondering that is the final yr. I do know I've one other yr if I would like it. I'm taking a look at it as: ‘I wish to do one of the best that I can and see the place issues go.’” — BYU punter Ryan Rehkow on his future plans
It isn't practically as unhealthy as spring camp practices made it seem, Rehkow mentioned on the Huge 12 soccer media days final week at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“In spring ball, folks noticed the more serious of that. Like, they didn’t see all the nice issues that we had been studying and (how we had been) rising collectively,” Rehkow mentioned. “I imply, when fall camp comes round, we're going to see how good these guys are, and it will be actually good for the group.”
“These guys” are returner Justen Smith, Boise State switch Will Ferrin and Matthias Dunn, a walk-on from Wasatch Excessive in Heber Metropolis. As was well-documented, place-kicking in spring camp was a multitude — no less than when media members had been allowed to view the proceedings — from starting to finish because the Cougars went about changing all-time main scorer Jake Oldroyd, Rehkow’s good good friend.
“There was a number of change. There's a new (particular groups) teaching workers. We had Will transferring in and Matthias strolling on. There are only a lot of latest faces,” Rehkow mentioned. “When you find yourself thrown into any new state of affairs, there's at all times going to be somewhat little bit of a feeling-out course of.
“I really feel that's all spring ball was. Everyone is getting used to everybody. Like, they aren't used to me holding the ball. They aren't used to the completely different environment and stuff.”
Rehkow mentioned there have been some practices in the midst of camp, when reporters weren’t current, that each one three regarded like succesful kickers. One other kicker on the 2022 roster, Money Peterman, entered the switch portal in the midst of spring camp and has transferred to Arizona.
“We're going to be fantastic,” head coach Kalani Sitake mentioned Wednesday in Arlington. “… These guys are all working arduous and (particular groups coach Kelly Poppinga) can have them able to go this fall. I'm not practically as (involved) as different individuals are.”
Rehkow mentioned if coaches peeked into the switch portal for a kicker after spring camp ended, he’s not conscious of it.
“I don’t assume that was ever a factor,” he mentioned. “We all know the standard of fellows that we've. Once more, they're going to have the ability to come out and show that this yr and I believe it will calm a number of worries.”
Gamers report for preseason coaching camp on July 31 and the primary observe is scheduled for Aug. 1.
The latest model of BYU’s roster reveals one other kicker — Rehkow’s youthful brother Landon, who can also be listed as a punter. Is he the inheritor obvious to his brother’s job as soon as Ryan heads off to provide the NFL a strive?
“He’s received some capacity,” mentioned Ryan Rehkow, who's listed at 6-foot-6 and 235 kilos. Landon Rehkow, again from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Las Vegas and not too long ago married (to Cortlin), is listed at 6-0 and 170 kilos.
Ryan Rehkow’s measurement is among the causes he didn’t stick out like a sore thumb at media days as the one specialist in attendance.
“Yeah, it's fairly cool to be right here,” Rehkow mentioned. “… We'll take it, and it's an honor. Bodily, I slot in.”
He’s additionally one of many Cougars’ finest gamers, and one of many prime punters within the nation.
As a result of that is his fourth yr in this system, he received married a yr in the past (to Hadley) and he’s already obtained his diploma in finance from BYU’s Marriott College of Enterprise, many believed that Rehkow would name it a school profession after the 2022 season. Guess once more.
“Realizing we're coming into the Huge 12, understanding that there have been all these loopy, superior issues to return, I knew I needed to stay round and be part of it,” he mentioned.
Rehkow averaged 46.2 yards per punt final yr, with a season-long of 71. In 2021, he averaged 48.6 yards per punt and was on the Ray Man Award watch listing.
He mentioned he talked about his choice lots with Oldroyd — who left regardless of having some eligibility remaining — and each decided they had been somewhere else of their lives.
“I believe with simply the stress of all the things final yr, (Oldroyd) was already kinda excited to maneuver on in life, transfer on to larger and higher issues,” Rehkow mentioned. “And for me, I kinda knew that there was nonetheless some unfinished enterprise and I believe there's nonetheless a protracted methods I can go along with soccer and with punting. So for me, that need, it by no means dies. It's nonetheless there pushing me to get higher.”
Technically, Rehkow has two years of eligibility remaining (2020 doesn’t depend, on account of COVID-19) however is pretty sure this can be his ultimate season in Provo.
“I haven’t completely determined, however proper now I'm pondering that is the final yr,” he mentioned. “I do know I've one other yr if I would like it. I'm taking a look at it as: ‘I wish to do one of the best that I can and see the place issues go.’”
Rehkow known as final season — when his numbers dipped a bit from his standout freshman and sophomore seasons — “an enormous studying season” for him and “uncovered” a number of holes in his recreation.
A self-described “huge goal-setter,” he’s approaching 2023 as if the sky is the restrict for the three-year starter.
What are his targets?
“If you're not setting targets you aren't actually in a position to progress. So I believe for myself personally, there are some targets that I've that I received’t share, however generally, I need our group to steer the nation in web punt common, as a result of I believe that that speaks volumes about not simply me as a punter, however for our protection group as a unit,” he mentioned.
BYU’s Ryan Rehkow punts in opposition to San Diego State Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Provo, Utah.
George Frey, Related Press