by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
LSU's Doctor of Special Teams Greg McMahon, alongside Special Teams Analyst Chris Forestier, have offered the #3 ranked kicker in the country, Gulliver Prep's Will Bettridge, a young man who LSU Odyssey covered when he visited on June 11th, the same weekend as Denver Harris and C.J Washington.
While next to the big names and 5 stars, Will was far from out of place: Rated by KornBlue as the #1 kicking prospect in America, and ranked with 5 stars by Kohl's, the Miami native is catching big waves of attention from the LSU staff....and for good reason.
LSU Odyssey spoke to Will on June 24th about the Tigers offer & more:
LONN: Congrats on the offer, Will! How does it feel to have the best special teams coach in America wanting you?
WILL: What's up! I appreciate that! Feels great. I know what he has done with kickers in the past and i’m honored that he sees me as the same talent as them
LONN: McMahon...that's the man who called the Saints' onside kick to beat Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl!!! McMahon is a not a household name, BUT real football coaches, REAL football people ALL want that guy. he'll be a head coach one day.
WILL: Definitely a great Coach. Love the relationship i have with him.
LONN: Will you were visiting on June 11th, how was that visiting with Omari, Denver, Luke and CJ?
WILL: Definitely a great visit for sure. Was super cool to be there the same day as some of those big time guys.
LONN: Where does LSU rank in your recruitment so far, Will?
WILL: Definitely top 3 of the offers I have now.
LONN: With this being Cade York's junior year, and since he's the #1 CFB kicker, he's probably going to go pro after this season, which means a big big shot for you to be THE guy. Has that been part of McMahon's pitch?
WILL: Definitely. (McMahon) says that if Cade leaves or he doesn’t that they need a 22 with a big leg to come in.
LONN: Even if Cade doesn't, that's the perfect dood to learn under for a year too!! I don't see LSU pursuing anyone else. Knowing what i know about McMahon, he circles his guy for punter and kicker and that's it. They're the guy.
What was the toughest kick, most high pressure you've ever made, Will??
WILL: Definitely my freshman year. 46 yards down by 3 with 2 seconds left to send it to overtime. First varsity game.
LONN: That's as pressurized as you can get! What stuck out to you most about LSU during your visit?
WILL: Definitely the coaches and how they treated me as family. Were very opening to me and honest about the process. Also really liked campus
LONN: Does it matter to you what conference you kick in?
WILL: Conference doesn't matter to me.
LONN: Have you ever been an SEC guy?
WILL: SEC is definitely pretty cool.
LONN: You've been a Florida, Miami guy your whole life right?
WILL: Born and raised in NYC!
LONN: Nice! We have another New Yorker on the team, Nick Storz out of Brooklyn!
Do you think, unless you're as highly ranked or seen as you are, that 90% or more of kickers / punters are kinda shafted by the recruiting process?
WILL: I would say yes and no. It’s all about how much they put themselves out there on film and sending coaches videos and all that. I think a lot of great kickers get shafted with PWO offers when they deserve scholarships.
LONN: Who's the kicker you try to emulate most?
WILL: Adam Vinatieri.
LONN: The G.O.A.T! What is the #1 asset Vinatieri and the best kickers ALL have, other than a great foot / leg, but what's that key ingredient?
WILL: Confidence 100%
LONN: Do you feel playing a sport like soccer translates well to being a kicker?
WILL: Yes and No. Leg strength helps from soccer but kicking is a completely different swing.
WELCOME WILL! LET'S GEAUX!!!!
WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOUR BOOT ON OUR ROSTER!
MY BET'S ON BETTRIDGE!
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN @LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
SHOUTOUTS: LET'S GEAUX WILL!!!!
Also, dedicated to my buddy Clayeth. Love ya man!
I must mention Jamer too: So glad to have my friend back.
But last but never least, Chelsea:
You don't have to love sports for me to love you...I'll always love you baby.