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22 DAYS TO 2017 KICKOFF: Nick McLellan

In which BracketCat counts down the 22nd day until the 2017 kickoff with a profile of punter Nick McLellan.

#22 Dante Barnett
Now that “old man” Dante Barnett has finally graduated, young punter Nick McLellan remains the only No. 22 on the roster.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

#22 Nick McLellan

Redshirt Sophomore | 6-2 | 180 lbs. | West Des Moines, Iowa
Nick McLellan
Nick McLellan
Courtesy Kansas State Athletics
  • Position: Punter
  • Previous College: None
  • Projection: Second-String
  • Status: Preferred Walk-On

Nicholas Ross McLellan (b. Dec. 28, 1996) is a a walk-on kicker and punter from Dowling Catholic High School. He redshirted in 2015 and did not see any game action in 2016.

McLellan likely will vie to become either the new kickoff specialist or the backup punter in 2017.

A four-year letter-winner under coach Tom Wilson, McLellan helped to lead the Maroons to state championships as a junior and senior as his team went 14-0 in 2013 and 13-1 in 2014.

In the process, he also broke the Iowa state record for points in a career by a kicker (283), PAT kicks in a career (206) and points in a season by a kicker (105).

McLellan earned all-state honors from both the state’s coaches and the Iowa Newspaper Association after making 206 of 213 career extra points and 26 of 36 field goals, with a long of 42 yards. He also held a 39.6-yard punting average.

In addition to kicking at the prep level, he also played high school soccer and was a four-year letter-winner in this sport, as well.

The highlight of McLellan’s senior season was a fake punt he ran against Waukee High School.

Kohl’s Professional Camps ranked McLellan the 90th-best kicker and the 62nd-best punter, both with a rating of 4.5. He also attracted interest from in-state schools such as Iowa and Iowa State, as well as Missouri and USC.