For a punter, the transition from high school to the Southeastern Conference does not require intense weight lifting or memorization of the playbook. Rather, it’s about trusting one’s ability and going out there and executing.
After three games, true freshman Brett Upson has done just that. While his numbers speak for themselves, it’s the mental aspect that has sophomore kicker Bryant Hahnfeldt impressed.
“He’s handling the pressure so well,” said Hahnfeldt, who was in a similar situation last year. “He went to Michigan, to Alabama, and then in his first home game, he kicks it 69 yards. He’s a beast.”
Upson, who averaged 44.2 yards per punt as a senior at Spalding (Ga.) High School, was undoubtedly talented enough to start for the Commodores. The question was whether he could handle catching a low snap at the Big House or pin the Razorbacks inside their own 20 in a crucial spot. The early returns are promising.
“It’s just getting the mental part down, and he’s already got it,” Hahnfeldt said. “It’s a little different for (punters and kickers) than it is for some of the other guys. They need to build a little bit to fly around and hit people in the SEC. We just go out there and do what we do.”
So far, Upson has averaged 39.6 yards per punt with seven landing inside the 20-yard line. But, even more impressive is the fact that the team has a net punt average of 38.8 yards.
As a result, Vanderbilt is 19th in the nation in opponents’ punt yards per return.
“He’s hanging the ball up in the air so well, our coverage can get there and they can’t return it,” Hahnfeldt said.
According to coach Bobby Johnson, the team has had success in punt coverage for two reasons.
“Brett has provided good, high kicks and we’ve improved our coverage, getting some better athletes out there on the gunner positions,” he said.
Johnson also said he was impressed with both Hahnfeldt and Upson’s mental toughness.
“They’re not fazed at all,” he said. “They’re both very confident young men. You just stick them out there and they’re gonna try very hard to do their job.”
Upson, although admittedly nervous in the opener at Michigan, has never looked panicked.
“I’m doing the same thing I did in high school,” Upson said. “It’s just in front of a lot more people. The first game I was a tad bit nervous, but I got through it.”
After averaging 35.3 yards per punt against Michigan, Upson averaged 40 yards per punt last week against the Razorbacks.
“I’ve got a great line and my trust is in them,” he said. “I’ve just got to do my thing; they’re doing their part. When you get on the field, you don’t even hear what’s going on around you.”
As natural of a punter as Upson may appear, he did not even touch a football until high school. He was too busy playing soccer, where he holds his region’s scoring record with 87 goals, and hitting the links.
“When I first came to high school, I thought I was going to play golf in college,” said Upson, who sports a +2 handicap.
However, Upson took a liking to football and said he attended about 30 camps prior to his sophomore season. He ended up being a two-year captain and three-year starter while earning first-team AAA All-State honors from the Georgia Sports Writers Association in his final season.
“Brett has one of the strongest legs I’ve seen in 21 years of coaching high school, and he really works hard at being the best kicker he can be,” said Spalding coach Kirk Hoffman. “I’d say his mental toughness is one of Brett’s biggest assets.”
While he has excelled on the gridiron, Upson hasn’t forgotten about golf. He plays with teammates every Monday.
When asked if he’s the best one, Upson was careful with his words, saying, “I beat them last week.”
