Gamecocks perfect punting match for Sean Kelly

When Sean Kelly was looking for a new school, South Carolina looked to be the perfect situation for a punter.

The Gamecocks were graduating punters Tyler Hull and Patrick Fish, and because Kelly came in January, he was the only punter to go through spring drills.

“Just looking at all the schools, this was the best option,” Kelly said. “The SEC environment, you can’t beat that, but the spot had to be filled.”

Kelly comes to USC from Florida Atlantic University with two years of eligibility remaining, though he took a year off from football while attending Tallahassee Junior College. During his two seasons at FAU, the 5-foot-10, 189-pounder averaged 41.3 yards per punt with 42 of his kicks landing inside the 20.

During that time between schools, he remained in shape and ready for the right opportunity.

“I had to get a nice gym membership at Gold’s,” he said. “I also would go to my kicking coach in Orlando, and I just had to stay mentally tough.”

Kelly said balancing his school work, working out and trips to Orlando to see his kicking coach was a challenge, especially when he was trying to have some fun in college.

“I couldn’t just go off and do whatever I wanted,” he said. “I had to stay mentally tough.”

USC special teams coach Joe Robinson is confident that Kelly will be able to put the team in a good position.

“We haven’t got a chance to see him in a Gamecock uniform, but he’s exhibited a lot of things that we want to see,” said Robinson, who is in his fourth season coaching special teams. “Over the years, the best specialists are the ones that are both good in the weight room and good athletically, and he is both of those.”

Robinson believes Kelly’s experience at the Division I level plays to his advantage, as does his overall athleticism.

“He was a quarterback in high school, so he brings a lot of athleticism to the table that we hope to build on. As we go along, he’ll be able to show the folks what kind of leg he has.”

Going into to fall, Kelly is not without competition. Highly regarded freshmen Michael Almond and Joseph Charlton have been pushing him, though he seems to welcome the competition.

“I think he wants competition,” Robinson said. “I think he wants Almond and Charlton to step up and make him better because everyone needs a little competition.”

Kelly isn’t exactly certain on some of his measurables right now, but during workouts prior to South Carolina his hang time was around 4.5 seconds.

“The snaps are pretty quick, but right now I’m just trying to kill any block opportunities with a quick release and good hang time to let those gunners get down the field,” Kelly said.

This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 9:36 PM with the headline "Gamecocks perfect punting match for Sean Kelly."