If punting doesn’t work out for Mitch Wishnowsky, possibly he can discover a profession as a linebacker.
The San Francisco 49ers rookie is getting his first style of NFL motion this preseason and took full benefit of an opportunity to make an impression on “Monday Night time Soccer.”
Whereas dealing with kickoff obligation within the third quarter, Wishnowsky despatched a ball into the top zone that Broncos kick returner Devontae Jackson determined to return.
This was a foul determination.
Huge blow from 49ers punter
Jackson dodged the primary 49ers tackler to hold the ball previous the 20-yard line. He wouldn’t evade the second San Francisco deal with try.
Wishnowsky made a beeline down the center of the sphere after kicking off to seek out Jackson head-on on the 23-yard line, the place he promptly put an finish to the kick return.
Wishnowsky squared up, lowered his shoulders and delivered a textbook deal with that despatched Jackson flying backward and on the turf in what should have been a throwback to his days taking part in Aussie guidelines soccer rising up in Western Australia.
Wishnowsky switched to punting from Aussie guidelines
A continual shoulder difficulty compelled Wishnowsky to surrender the game at 18, however he took benefit of the chance to switch his expertise as a specialist for the American model of soccer, the place he thrived as a punter at Utah, incomes All-America honors and successful the Ray Man award because the nation’s high punter.
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His success paid off when the 49ers made him a fourth-round choose in April’s draft. All indictions level to Wishnowsky changing into a particular groups star in San Francisco.
He’s already earning attention for his hang time at observe.
Rising particular groups star
49ers extensive receiver Trent Taylor, who was working with the punt return workforce throughout summer season drills, described Wishnowsky as “filthy” to the San Francisco Examiner.
“He has some severe cling time,” Taylor mentioned. “I really feel like I’m sitting there ready for it to come back down for method too lengthy. Then when you’re there for too lengthy you begin overthinking it. That’s what makes him good.”
Particular groups coach Richard Hightower advised the Examiner his arsenal of punts have the potential to flummox opposing returners.
“He has balls that he can kick that fall totally different ways in which may give a returner the phantasm that it’s going a technique and that it’ll go a special method,” Hightower mentioned.
Multi-talented
As he demonstrated on Monday, Wishnowsky is a more-than-capable kickoff specialist, and he’ll be holding area targets for kicker Robbie Gould.
Nevertheless it’s his punting that may pay the payments and probably make him a Professional Bowler.
Within the meantime, laying out opposing returners will increase his profile and positively earn the respect of his teammates.