With the 228th pick (14th pick of the seventh round) in the NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Syracuse Orange punter Sterling Hofrichter.
With the 228th pick in the #NFLDraft, we have selected P Sterling Hofrichter.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 25, 2020
Welcome to Atlanta, @shofrichter10!
- https://t.co/C1xn2nHL2d pic.twitter.com/dsUdZrC5eM
For his career at Syracuse, Hof averaged 43.3 yards per punt, kicked an extra point and three of four field goals (including that impressive 52-yarder), plus he also handled kickoffs. He managed six tackles and forced a fumble as well, because SU punters rarely “just” punt. Sterling’s best ability was in his hangtime, and ability to pin opponents back. He was one of the best punters in the country there, putting over 30 punts inside the 20 (and 11 inside the 10).
While punters aren’t chosen with a ton of frequency, Hof’s versatility to kick as well probably helps him out here. He’s the second Orange punter chosen in the past five years (joining legend Riley Dixon), and the seventh punter or kicker selected in school history.
Hof getting selected bodes pretty well for him making the Falcons. Congrats to Sterling on getting drafted! Looking forward to your Hall of Fame punting career to come.
#PuntersArePeopleToo pic.twitter.com/hcd8XKC97y
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 25, 2020