Despite Coaching Situation - Michigan Has Talent to Compete in 2015

Michigan return-man Dennis Norfleet is one of
the most electric players in the country.
Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press

This is Michigan. One of the biggest football powerhouses in the nation. However, the Wolverines have obviously underachieved this season going 5-7 overall. In fact, this year marks just the third time in the past forty years that the Wolverines did not make it to a bowl game. Following the 5-7 record, head coach Brady Hoke is on the hot-seat and most likely will not return to coach the Wolverines next season. That, however, doesn't mean Michigan isn't ready to improve and possibly compete next season.

The Wolverines have several solid starters returning for the 2015 season, including top passing target, Devin Funchess. The 6'5", 230 pound tight end turned wide out should return for his senior season in Ann Arbor after a season with 733 receiving yards and just four touchdowns. However, that is with a quarterback in Devin Gardner who struggled all season long. Gardner will not return next season, which is a positive thing for the Wolverines. Instead, Shane Morris will most likely take over as the Wolverines' signal-caller. Personally, I do not see Morris as the answer for Michigan's quarterback woes, but it isn't a problem with the returning backfield.

Michigan should have one of the best runningback cores in the Big Ten in 2015 with returning backs Derrick Green, Drake Johnson and Dennis Norfleet, who is one of the most dangerous players in the country, if used effectively. Green was injured after six games this season and was on pace for nearly 1,000 yards rushing, leading the team. Without Green, the Wolverines fell off, but with him healthy in 2015, the running game will find another level. Aside from him, Drake Johnson tore his ACL for the second time in the final game against Ohio State. Johnson came out of nowhere this past season but proved to be effective for the Wolverines. If the Wolverines run the ball frequently next season, they will be successful.

Michigan tight end, Devin Funchess will be a huge weapon
in 2015 if he remains in school.
Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

Let's talk about the dancing superstar, Dennis Norfleet. One of the most electric players in America, Norfleet can fly. His return skills are incredible and he can also be used in the backfield as a runningback or a slot receiver. His role should increase next season as well and in the special teams game, he will be extremely effective as usual.

At wide receiver, incoming-freshman Drake Harris was hurt all-season and redshirted. Next year, he will be ready to go to help out Devin Funchess in the receiving game, which will allow Shane Morris to have two excellent options, if he can remain healthy.

On the offensive line, Michigan started true-freshman left tackle, Mason Cole who proved to be solid throughout the season. Jack Miller will also return along the offensive line and if they improve, they will certainly be a dominant run-offense and be able to throw the ball through play-action.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wolverines ranked 28th in the country, allowing just over 22 points per game. Next season, cornerback Blake Countess returns along with who will be redshirt-freshman Jabrill Peppers who is poised to be one of the most exciting Wolverines to ever play, if he lives up to expectations.

Also on defense, the Wolverines will need to replace senior stud, Jake Ryan who led the team with 112 tackles this season. Aside from Ryan, Brennan Beyer is someone they need to replace at defensive end. Michigan should be just fine in the secondary however and I expect big things once again. If the Wolverines rank in the top-forty in the country on the defensive side of the ball, this team will do big things.

Obviously, the first thing is first, the Wolverines need a head coach. Brady Hoke isn't the answer and he needs to be fired but once that happens, the team can move on and develop their players. Sure, the coaching problems have led to major, major problems in recruiting. The loss of commitment, Mike Weber out of Detroit Cass Tech will have a big-time downfall on the future Wolverines. However, Michigan has time to recover on next year's recruits. They can afford a bad recruiting class this year due to the youth on the current roster. If they develop their players, Michigan can compete as early as last year.

Since Jim Harbaugh seems to be staying in the NFL, could
LSU's Les Miles be next on Michigan's radar?
Photo Credit: FTR Sports

I know it sounds crazy, but look at what happened in Brady Hoke's first season after taking over for Rich Rodriguez. An 11-2 overall record and a BCS Bowl win was the result of a senior led team. Next season, the team will be older and will have much more leadership. Michigan may be closer to National prominence than we all think. They're just that one big-named head coach away. Tomorrow is the day we found out if the program will take a step in the right direction by getting rid of Hoke or if they'll continue down the trail of complacency in the Big Ten.

Since Jim Harbaugh seems to be staying in the NFL, Michigan needs to get a big-time name for their next head coach. Hoke came from nowhere, granted he did rebuild a few programs, but this is MICHIGAN. Basically, it's LSU's Les Miles, Jim Harbaugh, Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, or nobody. Michigan needs to nail this next hire, if they do, Michigan will compete next season. Book it.

The 2015 Wolverines will have some leadership and they will have talent. It's just a matter of how fast Michigan wants to improve and get back to being the Michigan Wolverines that everyone is used to. Let's home interim Athletic Director, Jim Hackett makes the right decision.




Contact Zach on Twitter with thoughts/comments: @ZHarig23 or @ToledoZach

Coach Dan Lundy & Kicker Cairo Santos Develop Special Bond through One On One Kicking

Foreign-exchange students are plentiful in the United States. Nearly every foreigner that comes to America comes with a passion for soccer, as was the case with Brazilian Cairo Santos. Santos came to St. Augustine, Florida as a 15-year-old in 2007 just trying to learn English for a year and head back to Brazil. The passionate soccer player then found himself at a tryout for his high school football team due to his host brother, Tyler. After converting extra points with ease, Cairo was introduced to one of his soccer teammate’s brother, Caleb Sturgis, who was one of the top kickers in the country.

“We kind of met through his brother Mark,” said Cairo on meeting Caleb Sturgis, “We were on the same soccer team in St. Augustine and I knew who Caleb was. Once I talked to him he let me know about Coach Lundy and got me started.”

Santos then began his training with Coach Dan Lundy and One On One Kicking. From the get-go, Coach Lundy knew there was something special about the Brazilian.

“He had a very quick leg and was one of the quickest to pick everything up,” said Lundy, “No matter what it was that I asked him to do. His ball-striking ability was exceptional right away and he was very coachable. Literally in the first month or two that I got him, I knew I had something special – I kept raving about how he’s going to be special.”

That humble attitude turned into outstanding on-the-field performance for Santos. From there, Lundy portrayed the confidence in Santos that convinced him to stay in the United States and pursue a football scholarship. Yet, Santos’ family remained over 4,000 miles way in Sao Puelo, Brazil as Cairo’s American plans took a detour. Following his parents’ approval for him to remain the United States, Santos and Lundy began to train even harder.

“He was very interested in football,” Lundy stated, “As soon as he started exposing himself to college football, he fell in love with the game. It didn’t take much to persuade him, he saw the opportunity.”

From left to right: Miami Dolphins kicker
Caleb Sturgis, Kansas City Chiefs kicker
Cairo Santos & One On One Kicking coach,
Dan Lundy.

Santos connected on 19-of-23 field goals in his junior and senior seasons at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Augustine, Florida. Despite his incredible performance on the field, many big programs shied away from the Brazil-native.

Coach Lundy was shocked to see Santos slip through the cracks of major programs due to his small stature.  

“A lot of schools, especially the big ones like ACC and SEC schools shied away from him because of his size,” Coach Lundy stated on Santos’ recruiting out of high school, “Schools typically like kickers around six-foot, 190 pounds and when they heard he was five-eight or five-nine coming out of high school, a lot of schools didn’t even bat an eye at him, figuring there was no way he could give them that 50-yard range. He competed at the One On One Expo, Tulane called about him and saw video of his workout. Since that was the only FBS school that offered, it was a no-brainer.”

The dream was fulfilled. The whole reason Santos stayed in the United States was to earn a football scholarship and with help from One On One Kicking, he achieved that. Santos would convert 13-of-16 field goals in his freshman season at Tulane in 2010, turning him into a big name in the Conference-USA.

Just two years later during Santos’ junior year in 2012, he would grab the national spotlight. Following a perfect 21-for-21 season on field goal attempts and field goals of 54 and 57 yards, Santos won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker.

Despite the ultimate high of gaining national attention, Santos’ life took a turn downhill. On September 15, 2013, Cairo’s father died in a plane crash in Brazil. From there, Coach Dan Lundy and One On One Kicking became a third family for Cairo. Aside from his mother and sister back in Sao Puelo and host-family, he had Coach Lundy and One On One founder, Coach Mike McCabe.

“When I lost my dad, Coach Lundy was like a brother, he would call me and offer any help he could,” Cairo stated on the support from One On One, “Those are the people you don’t forget.”

After losing a very big part of his life, the 4,000 mile distance became even farther for the Santos family. However, through the support of his host-family and One On One, Santos was able to overcome the tragedy and continue his kicking career.

“My sister and my mom are the most important people in my life and at the beginning it was hard to be apart from them,” Santos said on the difficult times away from his family. “They were going through tough times there but I couldn’t do anything since I was in the U.S., I wish I could have been there for them through that tough time, it was tough.”

Since the loss, Santos and Lundy have been able to get that much closer to one another, “I wake up daily whenever we talk and it’s why I’m doing what I’m doing,” Coach Lundy stated on his talks with Santos. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and he’s been through a lot, after he lost his dad to the plane crash, I’ve been a big brother to him.”

After the loss of his dad, Cairo dedicates every kick and game to his father. Cairo’s senior year was one of ups and downs after finishing 16-for-23 on field goal attempts. Following a storied career at Tulane, Santos was eligible for the NFL Draft but went undrafted. The Lou Groza winner was then called by the Kansas City Chiefs and offered a chance to tryout. To do so, he’d have to beat out NFL-veteran Ryan Succop.

“I was a little skeptical at first when the Chiefs took him,” Lundy said on Santos’ NFL opportunity, “There were four of five teams that needed a kicker and I didn’t want a team with a veteran to take him. I knew wherever he went he was going to compete but I was very concerned.”

It worked out. Santos won the Chiefs kicking job and began to make a name for himself.

“Cairo would call me every week and touch base with me,” said Lundy on Cairo’s NFL tryout, “Him and Ryan (Succop) were neck and neck, I mean it was so close that it came down to reps. I think the competition helped Cairo because he had to go in and compete every single day to win that job.”

After making the Chiefs roster, Santos became the first Brazilian to play in the NFL, “It’s cool to see the exposure he’s getting in Brazil as a first time NFL player, he’s become a little celebrity but he’s handled it so well. He’s just so humble and his training has really improved,” said Lundy.

Despite the struggle of Cairo’s NFL schedule and Lundy’s high school coaching schedule, they still find time to talk to one another, “In the fall, he’s always busy with coaching and his kids and I’m always busy with the team so we don’t get to talk as much as we usually do when I’m in Florida. He still wants to know how I hit the ball every week,” Santos stated.

From foreign exchange student to NFL kicker, Santos says there’s no chance he’d be in the NFL if it wasn’t for Lundy and One On One, “I probably wouldn’t even be kicking, they’re the ones who told me I had talent and it let me convince my parents to stay in the United States. They taught me everything, I owe them a lot. I like to go back and help their camps, I go and I don’t ask for money, I just do it because they did it for me, I just want to give back to the kids.”


Santos says he is ready for the off-season so that he can spend time not just training with Coach Lundy but also spend time out on the boat with not only his coach and mentor, but one of his best friends as well. This relationship is just one example of why One On One Kicking is more than just a coaches and players bond - this is a family.

Australia’s Hamish Macinnes Becoming A Big Name in America

In Australia, football may not be an extremely big deal. However, for Australia-native, Hamish MacInnes, that’s a different story. MacInnes came to the United States two years ago on a football scholarship from Jacksonville State University. The first American football game for MacInnes caught him off guard. “I didn’t really know what to expect,” said MacInnes, who finished his freshman year at Jacksonville State with a 39.3 yard per punt average. One year later, MacInnes began to find himself with the Gamecocks. A solid sophomore season put his name with some of the top punters in all of college football. Despite a sophomore performance in which he averaged 42.9 yards per punt, there was more potential there for MacInnes.

Austrailia-native, Hamish MacInnes punts for
Jacksonville State against the Florida Gators.
PHOTO COURTESY: Gamecock Nation Extra

Just months following his sophomore season for the Gamecocks, fellow teammate and long-snapper Andrew Dean introduced MacInnes to the name One on One Kicking and their founder, Mike McCabe.

“I heard nothing but good things about Coach McCabe and I knew he had a lot of guys going into the pros and good players at that. It’s all about going to the pros so I thought it’d be good to work with him, they’re great coaches. What I like most about Coach McCabe is that he points out little things rather than trying to change the whole thing, the small things make a big difference,” said MacInnes on McCabe’s instruction.

In just the first few months of One on One’s working with MacInnes, he says he has changed his mindset through working with them. “I am a lot more focused on the details and the technique, before I was just going out and hitting a lot of balls and not really getting good results. Now, I’m looking at quality and getting the technique down pat. I picked up on the professionalism of the guys who are going to the next level and the things that they need to do to get there.”

After the big step taken last year, MacInnes is just looking to improve and get better each year, which One on One is helping him with daily. “On a daily basis I make sure I’m working on technique drills and things like that. I try to kick every other day if I’m feeling good, I do drill work for 20 or 30 minutes, then spend another 30 minutes punting balls then a nice cool down stretch. I’m keeping fit as well but not overdoing it; I’m not going out to hit 100 balls a day or lifting any heavy weights.”

Aside from the work on the field, MacInnes says One on One Kicking has helped him with several other things as well, “It has opened my eyes up to the challenges there are to make it to the pros. I have realized that you don’t just graduate from college and jump to the pros, you need to dedicate time and work hard at it. Things don’t go your way sometimes, but it’s not the end of the world, you can always get another opportunity.”

MacInnes’ second-season in America truly opened a lot of eyes regarding his ability and potential coming from overseas. A 42.9 yard per punt after during his sophomore season turned heads and immediately led to his name being brought up as one of the top punters in the country.

“It’s nice to know that people treat you with that recognition,” MacInnes said, “But it’s not going to get to my head. People talk, but I’m going to let my work on the field do the talking.”

The sophomore season which raised several eyebrows was highlighted by an 86-yard punt against Tennessee Tech which set a Jacksonville State school record. “I didn’t read into it much but I guess it was a school record, the wind was blowing my way and I got a good bounce,” MacInnes said with a laugh.

Talent from Australia is hard to translate to American football without the right work ethic, but with help from One on One Kicking and the right amount of dedication and ability, anything is possible. Hamish MacInnes is becoming a top name in punting as an upcoming junior at Jacksonville State. Hamish’s story is just another instance of why One on One Kicking is the best training facility for kickers and punters in the country.

Texas State Kicking Greatness Continues

Texas State freshman and long-time One on One Kicking Trainee, James
Sherman.

An overlooked aspect of football is the punting game. One team not overlooking the punting and field position aspect of college football is Texas State. Three years ago, the Bobcats brought in dual-threat specialist Will Johnson from Bryan, Texas. Johnson, now one of the top punters in college football, has been training with One on One Kicking for several years. “Our coach met some of the One on One coaches at a coaching clinic and it sounded like a good deal. They got me when I was going into my sophomore year of college when we went to Prattville to train, last year we went to Pensacola and now this year in Mobile.”

“Will has improved his consistency and his power,” One on One Kicking Coach Luke Gaddis stated on the past three years with Will Johnson, “In the college training sessions we get to see his pop, maturity and consistency. He’s better at handling pressure situations now, whether it’s training with us or game situations that our coaches put him in. Will’s progress has been impressive to watch, I’ve been around Chris Boswell, Nate Freese, and NFL guys like that, and Johnson is right up there with him. Will has a huge leg with amazing potential,” Gaddis said.

Johnson has been through certain things in his life that set him apart from several other kickers and punters. “I lost my dad last year,” Johnson said, “After he passed away, I didn’t know if I even wanted to punt anymore because he wasn’t at my games. This year, I’ve been hitting the ball well and now I want to make it to the next level for him.”

Johnson has begun to find himself with the Bobcats. During his junior season last year, Johnson punted 41 balls for an average of 44 yards. Johnson also specialized in pinning his opponent deep in Texas State territory, ranking eighth in college football with over 46% of his punts being inside of the twenty-yard line. Johnson also registered a 65-yard punt against Louisiana last season and holds the school-record for longest field goal with a 54-yarder against New Mexico State in his sophomore season.

“Will has an awesome work ethic, he’s always paying attention to detail,” said Will’s One on One Kicking coach, Luke Gaddis, “He’s always looking to get better despite his big ball. You would think a guy like him would sit back and think, ‘Sweet I got this,’ but not him. Whether it’s a 20-yard field goal or a 50-yard field goal, Will is always looking to be consistent.”

One thing that Johnson enjoys about One on One Kicking is how he gets to work with the younger high school guys. “With One on One, they helped me be able to coach myself and learn how to coach others, they get a lot out of you and you get to work with the younger kids.” Johnson will need to learn how to coach because he now has someone looking up to him. Incoming freshman punter, James Sherman out of Montgomery, Alabama will most likely redshirt this fall while learning under Johnson and then be thrown into the fire in 2015.

“James may look up to me and what not, but I look up to him as well,” Johnson said on his younger teammate, “He’s been with One on One since he was in eighth grade and he’s really helped me a lot. He’s young but he really knows what he’s doing, he always helps me with drill work. I expected James to end up at a bigger school, so it was a great get by Texas State.”

James is an unbelievable dual-threat kicking and punting prospect that has been with One on One for several years now. “I was in eighth grade so I was a little boy,” Sherman said, “The first day I learned so much from Coach McCabe and from there we’ve developed a great relationship.”

Now that Johnson is a senior and Sherman is an incoming freshman, they’ll have one year together with the Bobcats. “I met Will two years ago in Prattville, we were doing a competition with college against high school guys,” James said on the first meeting with his soon-to-be teammate, “He said he went to Texas State and I was really confused because I didn’t know that was even a school. Will seemed like a good guy then and ever since our relationship has been pretty sweet.”

As for One on One, James Sherman says he has learned a large amount from Coach Gaddis and Coach McCabe at one on One. “They’ve helped me a lot,” Sherman said, “I’ve learned so much about kicking, more than I could ever really imagine knowing. I’ve met a lot of guys through college and pro training and watch them move up through the ranks. When they say One on One is the best of the best, they mean it with all of the NFL guys that come out here to train.”

Now for Sherman, he gets to learn from one on the best punters in college football while enjoying time off the field with him as well, “I’m excited about it,” Sherman said on spending time with Will. “I’ve been able to spend the past few weeks with Will, he has a huge leg and such a great attitude about it, I’m excited to be along on the journey with him. He just works so hard.”

As Johnson said, Sherman has taught him so much, “It’s interesting,” Sherman said on teaching a punter who is three years older, “He tells me that I teach him a lot sometimes and I’m flabbergasted, I don’t understand how that’s possible. For me, he taught me so much about the university that I wouldn’t know with him, I would be failing on a lot of things if he didn’t teach or tell me. It just takes a lot of pain out of the high school to college switch.”

Working with two outstanding Texas State punters is something fun for One on One’s Director of Kicking, Dan Lundy, who trains both punters. “It’s definitely an experience,” Lundy said, “You’re talking about one of the best punters in the Class of 2014 in James Sherman and one of the best legs coming out of college in Will Johnson. You get to see that Will Johnson is in going into his senior year, he has a lot to prove and he’s trying to get to the next level. Then you have someone like James who’s going to be a freshman who most likely will redshirt under Will. Once the time Will graduates, James will get some experience and be ready to start as a redshirt freshman.”

Texas State has bolstered their special teams for the next few years. They already have one of the top punters in the country in Will Johnson, now they’re looking to continue that for the next five years by bringing in James Sherman.

Questions? Comments? Contact me on Twitter: @ToledoZach

One on One Kicking Trainee Matt Bonadies Commits to UAB

2015 Kicker Matt Bonadies with UAB coach Heath
Thomas. (Provided Photo: Debbie Bonadies)

University of Alabama-Birmingham first year head coach Bill Clark has had a winning coaching resumé no matter where he has coached. In 1999, Clark was hired as the head coach at Prattville high school in Alabama and led them to a 106-11 overall record and back-to-back state championships in his eight year tenure. From there, Clark took over as the defensive coordinator at South Alabama until 2012, when he was hired as the head coach at Jacksonville State University. In just one season, Clark led Jacksonville State to an 11-4 record and their first playoff appearance. Now, the successful coach is taking over a struggling program at UAB, where he hopes to turn that program around as well. Clark is off to a hot start on the recruiting trail, reeling in two top kicking prospects in the Class of 2015. Punter Ivy Wall of Oak Forest Academy in Amite, Louisiana committed to UAB last month, now triple-threat specialist Matt Bonadies of Buford, Georgia has also committed to the Blazers.

“I met Matt and his mother about a year and a half ago,” One on One Kicking founder, Mike McCabe stated on Bonadies, “I was introduced to the Bonadies family by Marc Nolan from ‘The Kickers Zone’ which is a company we network with. They’re a great Christian family and he’s a great kid.” Marc Nolan, the CEO of ‘The Kickers Zone’ has been worked with Bonadies before referring him to Coach Mike McCabe and One on One Kicking.

“Matt came to us as a kid with a very strong leg,” McCabe said on Bonadies’ beginning with One on One, “He came in with a soccer swing but was always positive and had a great attitude. Matt is very coachable and picks up everything quickly; he’s an extremely bright athlete.”

Bonadies is an up-and-coming prospect out of Buford high school who has been working with One on One Kicking and former NFL punter Dawson Zimmerman for the past year. “When I came to One on One Kicking, I had the basics of kicking down,” Bonadies said, “I had been to some camps and had a good kicker at my high school that taught me what he knew, but I was still kind of raw. I was refined once I got to them because they brought it down to the small details, they showed me kicking was a lot of smaller detail rather than big things.”

Matt’s mom, Debbie also started to see a difference following her son’s training with One on One Kicking and founder Mike McCabe. “His confidence improved and so did his techniques. We saw a huge difference in the results and techniques. Once he got to go year round his punting had improved and we saw five second hang-time.”

“After One on One, I’m a kicker who really critiques myself,” Bonadies said on his development with One on One, “They showed me the fundamentals and details of kicking. Now I can watch my film and know what I’m doing wrong, I’m a self-teaching kicker.”

Matt’s mother was looking for an affordable way for him to stay in shape year round and she found what she was looking for in One on One Kicking. “It was the only company that offered the year round kicking and Matt wanted to keep in shape year round,” Matt’s mother stated, which is why she chose to send him to One on One. “We knew Mike McCabe helped a lot of kids because I talked to their moms and we all agreed that he was one of the best instructors out there. He (Coach Mike McCabe) was agreeable to having Matt, it was a combination to the reputation of Mike McCabe and talking to the moms, plus it was very affordable for what you get in return,” she stated.

The big leg of Bonadies continued to grow as his work with One on One Kicking continued. Once a raw prospect, Bonadies transformed into a top kicking prospect. Interest came pouring in from bigger programs such as Tennessee, Rutgers, Syracuse and Vanderbilt along with smaller schools Coastal Carolina, Mercer and Georgia State. “UAB started recruiting me in the spring time,” Bonadies said, “They were sending me hand written letters and invites to camps and campus.”

First year head coach Bill Clark has the Blazers’ program headed in the right direction and the recruits are beginning to notice. “I really liked the direction that they’re headed in,” Bonadies said on why he committed to UAB, “Coach Clark and Coach Thomas have big ideas for the program and it’s so impressive how they’re turning it around and the direction they’re headed in.”

“Committing to UAB is the most relieving feeling in the world because I know I’m in good hands for the next five years of my life. I have a great home,” Bonadies said on his commitment to the Blazers. “I’m a graduate of UAB and so is my husband,” stated Matt’s mom, Debbie, “It’s surreal, Matt has worked hard and he’s deserving of this. I’m so appreciative of the confidence that Coach Clark and Coach Thomas have in him. Matt is very motivated to turn the team around, there’s big shoes to fill and he’s up to it.”

UAB currently has two senior specialists on their roster, kicker Ty Long and punter Hunter Mullins, who are One on One Kicking trainees as well. Long was selected as a Lou Groza semi-finalist in 2013 after being on the preseason watch list since his sophomore season. Aside from the Lou Groza, Long holds the UAB school record with a 54-yard field goal against Ohio State in 2012. Also in 2012, punter Hunter Mullins received a lot of attention after averaging nearly 45 yards a punt, which ranked him 13^th nationally. Mullins was also selected as preseason Special Teams Player of the Year in Conference USA this season for his final year at UAB. One on One Kicking has certainly made an impact with the UAB Blazers football specialists such as Long and Mullins and now Bonadies and Ivy Wall.

Following Mullins’ departure, Bonadies will have a tremendous chance to start as a true freshman, “That’s a big reason why I chose UAB,” Bonadies stated. “I have a chance to start right away, I love to have the playing time and that’s the opportunity I am going to get.”

Coach Clark is now rebuilding the special teams at UAB with the addition of punter Ivy Wall and kicker Matt Bonadies in the Class of 2015, both of which are One on One Kicking trainees, as Hunter Mullins and Ty Long were before them. For Bonadies, he says he’s excited to get started with fellow specialist commit, Ivy Wall, “I met Ivy at a specialist camp, he and I are great friends,” said Bonadies on his soon-to-be teammate at UAB, “I look forward to working with him in college.”

Matt’s mom, Debbie was drawn to UAB because of the coaching staff, “The coaches took a personal interest in Matt, particularly Coach Thomas,” she stated. “I love the direction that the team is going; it’s exciting to be a part of the rebuilding effort. As a mom, I feel that Matt is at the best place that he can be, plus we’re only three hours away so it’s just a drive away. Coach Thomas is a winning coach with strong character, good morals and he motivates his players. I feel so secure that Matt is in the right place.”

As for Matt, he also took a mutual interest in the coaching staff, particularly Coach Thomas. “Coach Thomas works specifically with the kickers, punters and snappers instead of a special teams guy,” Bonadies said on the first year head coach, “So we have a guy who knows what he’s talking about and that really made me decide.”

Though he has worked on punting for the past year, Bonadies is being recruited to UAB as a kicker, which is what his focus will turn to from now on.

Despite Bonadies focusing on kicking, Coach Mike McCabe says Bonadies may be a kicker now, but he’s an all-around dominant specialist, “Short and simple, Matt is a triple threat, he’s a huge asset to UAB. His kickoffs are averaging 4.0 or 4.1 at a high school level and are seven to nine deep. As a triple threat, Matt is extremely consistent and is a great high school kicker. His talents can go anywhere; he can win as a kicker, punter or kickoff specialist.”

For UAB, they got a very bright player with a great future in Matt Bonadies. The strong leg and tremendous work ethic will carry the Blazers special teams unit a long way for the next five years to come. “He’s a division one kicker who can be an All-American now,” said Coach Mike McCabe, “He’s an all-around triple threat and a great athlete to have.”

Blazer fans - Coach Bill Clark is beginning to turn this program around before coaching in his first game with UAB. On the recruiting trail, Clark and the Blazers got not only a great player, but also a great person in Matt Bonadies. Watch out for this kid down the road.

Questions? Comments? Contact me on Twitter: @ToledoZach