Specialists A.J. Hughes, Joe St. Germain earn scholarships
Virginia Tech’s specialists were primarily walk-ons last season. That won’t be the case in 2013.
The Hokies put punter A.J. Hughes and long snapper Joe St. Germain on scholarship recently.
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Hughes, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Terre Haute, Ind., started as a true freshman this year, bringing consistency to the Hokies’ punting woes. He started all 13 games, averaging 40.6 yards on 79 punts, with a long of 57.
His best effort probably came in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Hughes punted 11 times in the low-scoring affair, averaging 42.2 yards per kick. Three went longer than 50 yards and four were downed inside the 20. The performance earned Hughes recognition on several all-bowl teams.
St. Germain, a 6-foot, 212-pound rising junior from Los Alamitos, Calif., started all 13 games as the Hokies’ primary long snapper.
January 16, 2013 - 9:26 AM
Well done, young men, well done. A.J. Hughes is indeed one of the bright spots on the team in a mediocre season, and his full ride scholarship is well earned.
Keep it up, young men.
Can’t kick about getting a scholarship can you……..
Good for these guys. They played well this season. Wonder if this is the beginning of a different focus on special teams – aka – the torch is passed to Shane.
Maybe they can look at some of what Rutgers has been doing for so many years. IIRC, AB reported last month that Rutgers has blocked 35 kicks in the last 5 seasons. That during a time when some claimed that blocking kicks was virtually impossible anymore.
An energetic approach to special teams would be a very refreshing, much needed & welcome change. Let’s hope this is one of the many small steps towards doing so.
Nicely played, Zman…
Congratulations.
Andy ,
Are we getting Jeff Grimes? he sounds good!!
Let go Hokies!!
After last year when Danny Coale had to step up be the man, it’s nice to not hold your breath every time the ball is punted. Well done and well deserved.
Back in high school, yes back in the day of leather helmets, I ran back punts. Left footed kickers were rare, and a real pain. The ball moved in an opposite way than I was used to. When the ball is in the air, you start to drift normally to your right, not a lot but some as the ball curves slightly that way with its spin. Left footed kickers move the ball the other way. And, I won’t even talk about punts that bounce first. Glad he kicks for us.