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*** RD 5 BENGALS DRAFT - EVAN McPHERSON (K) ***


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McPherson was the top kicking prospect in 2018 class (also ranked fifth as a punter) after nearly setting Alabama records with a 60-yard field goal and 84-yard punt as a senior at Fort Payne High School. McPherson took over the starting job for the Gators as a true freshman in 2018, tying for sixth in the FBS in field goal percentage (17 of 19, 89.5 percent, long of 48 yards) and leading the Gators with 101 points scored (50 of 50 on extra points, 45 touchbacks on 81 kickoffs). He ranked 10th in the nation and led the SEC with the same field goal percentage in 2019 (17 of 19, 89.5 percent, long of 50 yards) while making 47-of-48 point-after tries and sending 51 of 80 kickoffs for touchbacks. McPherson had a solid 2020 season, leading the Gators with 103 points (52-of-52 XP; 17-of-22 FGs, 77.3 percent, four conversions from 50-plus yards with a long of 55; 40 touchbacks on 80 kickoffs). His brother, Logan, was a punter at Louisiana Tech. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
McPherson handled both field goal and kickoff duties at Florida with a leg that generates decent power and quick lift on each kick. He strikes the ball with good consistency and an end-over-end delivery that leads to quality accuracy and placement. While he struggled more than usual beyond 40 yards in 2020, it should be correctable. McPherson has a good chance of being a Day 3 selection and finding work in the NFL.
Strengths
  • Connected on 85 percent of his career field goals.
  • Made 94.5 percent from inside 40 yards during career.
  • Kicks with short, controlled follow through.
  • Uses drive kick when he needs extra on it.
  • Consistent trajectory and end-over-end balls.
  • Adequate hang-time on kickoffs.
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So can this kid reasonably make some kicks from beyond 40 yards or nah?  Seems to be mixed opinions & I can't imagine trading in Ample Randle for another guy that they don't trust at that range.  Any NFL PK should be good enough inside 50 to at least make it worth a try.

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2 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

So can this kid reasonably make some kicks from beyond 40 yards or nah?  Seems to be mixed opinions & I can't imagine trading in Ample Randle for another guy that they don't trust at that range.  Any NFL PK should be good enough inside 50 to at least make it worth a try.


They released Fat Randy already, didn’t they?

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2 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

So can this kid reasonably make some kicks from beyond 40 yards or nah?  Seems to be mixed opinions & I can't imagine trading in Ample Randle for another guy that they don't trust at that range.  Any NFL PK should be good enough inside 50 to at least make it worth a try.

 

I watched most of these videos now and it seems pretty clear that he's got the leg.  Lots of kicks of 50+ where it's hitting the top half of the uprights.  In high school he made a 60-yarder.  In one of these it shows that Florida had the 40 as his "cutoff" to reach for an attempt, and we're all used to the 35.  Finally, Callahan was asked about him in his presser regarding the OT and said exactly that - whenever you can have the 40 your cutoff instead of the 35 it can sometimes mean the difference between winning or losing.

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