It’s no secret that redshirt freshman Brad Wing is talented. The amiable punter is often the subject of praise and receives more press as a punter than some quarterbacks.
But Wing, who launched a 73-yard punt against Alabama, can’t do his job alone.
Although they rarely see the spotlight for their efforts, Wing’s punt coverage teammates sprint downfield and down the football dangerously close to their opponents’ end zone with astounding consistency.
LSU adversaries have only had the guts to return 11 punts against the brutal LSU coverage team. On those 11 returns, opponents have totaled seven return yards, for an average of .69 yards per return.
“We talk about it as a coverage unit,” said senior cornerback Ron Brooks, a member of the punt team. “That’s unheard of. That just goes to show how good of a job Brad does punting and how fast our gunners are able to get down there and down the through.”
Wing and the coverage team have pinned every opponent this season inside their own 20-yard line at least once, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the defense.
Sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers said good field position can change the mindset of the defense.
“When they’re starting at the 5, that’s attack mode,” Brockers said. “You want to get a safety. You want to get some points out play.”
Brooks said the coverage team feeds off Wing and vice-versa.
“Brad is just a great kicker and he’s able to make us better when he punts it so out.”
 
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected]