#14 Nick Walsh |
Position: Punter Previous College: None Projection: Starter Status: On Scholarship |
Nickolas Kaden Walsh (b. April 29, 1994) is a former walk-on who became the team’s primary punter in the early part of the 2014 season. He will continue to battle Mitch Lochbihler for primary punting duties as a sophomore.
In addition to earning a scholarship this year, Walsh also earned 2015 preseason All-Big 12 honors from Athlon.
After redshirting in 2013, Walsh saw time in 12 games last season, becoming the primary punter during the second game of the year and somewhat salvaging the season's special teams after Lochbihler's lasckluster start.
Walsh averaged 41.3 yards on 44 punts, with nine traveling 50 yards or more and 15 landing inside the 20-yard line.
He recorded a career-best 49.2-yard average on four punts against UCLA in the Alamo Bowl, including two that traveled at least 50 yards. Walsh also had two 50-yard punts at Iowa State, had five punts land inside the 20-yard line at TCU and earned second-team Academic All-Big 12 accolades for his work in the classroom last year.
Walsh lettered under head coach Rod Stallbaumer at Lyndon High School, where he led the team to a league championship and a state playoff appearance. He picked up all-state honors from The Wichita Eagle and the Kansas Football Coaches Association as a punter after averaging 42.6 yards in 2010 and 38.1 yards in 2011.
He was named an all-state running back by The Topeka Capital-Journal and KFCA after rushing for 1,330 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also participated in the 2012 Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Walsh also lettered in basketball, baseball and golf, earning first-team all-state honors in basketball and baseball while placing in the top 20 at the state golf tournament as both a freshman and sophomore.