Matt Muller
Long Snapper
Hometown:
Sylvania / Toledo, Ohio
College
Advice for Young Long Snappers:
Always make sure you are warm before going on the field. Most college snappers played other positions in high school and so they were always loose and ready to play. At the college level, more and more snappers are "Specialists" and only go on the field for one play at a time. This situation demands extra physical and mental attention to keep the hands (and body) warm.
A Bit About Matt
Matt graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in 2004 and was co-captain of the football team his senior year, playing both offensive and defensive line. As a highly recruited long snapper, he made official visits to Columbia University, Auburn, Michigan State, and Kent State.
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At Kent State, Matt started 46 games at long snapper from 2004-2007. In his senior session, he was named Academic All MAC and ESPN the Magazine First Team Academic All District. Over the course of his career, his snapping helped kickers Travis Mayle and Nate Reed move to the top of the KSU record books. Mayle (2002-2005) is the all time leader in PAT kicks and field goals, while Reed (2006-2009) sits fourth on both lists. Mayle has the single season record for PAT kicks (37 in 2004) and Reed has the single season record for field goals (18 in 2007). Mayle also holds the single game record for PATs (9 in 2004), and Reed holds the single game record for field goals (4 in 2007). Matt's proudest achievement is the record-setting 52 yard field goal kicked by Nate Reed in 2007.
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Punter Josh Brazen (2002-2005) also has the second highest KSU career punting average at 41.2 yards/punt and set the single season punting record in 2005.
Jake Kilroy
Punter
Hometown:
Millersburg, Ohio
College:
Advice for Young Punters:
Have confidence in your ability. You are out on the field one play at a time, you have to give it your best effort each and every time you step out on the field. There are reasons for practicing countless hours in preparation for a single punt in a game. You never know when the time will come, but it is likely that the game may be on the line and your team is backed up near your own end zone, and a big-time punt is needed to push the opposing team as far back as possible. Your team will rely on you to do your job and help seal a victory.
A Bit About Jake
Jake Kilroy graduated from West Holmes High School in 2006 where he was a co-captain of the team his senior year. Kilroy was named the Ohio Cardinal Conference Special Teams player of the year in 2005. Kilroy not only excelled on the football field, but also in the classroom and on the sparring mats as well. A national honors society student and second degree black-belt in Taekwondo, Jake has competed around the country in national tournaments.
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Jake came into Kent State in 2006 on a full-ride scholarship with a position as the starting punter. Kilroy, a two-year starter and letter winner, has seen playing time against top schools such as Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Kentucky, Iowa State and Army.
Nate Reed
Place Kicker
Hometown:
Wadsworth, Ohio
College:
Advice for Young Place Kickers:
In order to be a successful kicker, you need to be mentally strong. The most accurate kicker isn't always physically the strongest rather he is the strongest mentally. Have a short memory. Never let one missed kick influence your thinking so you miss another one. Relax. Focus on one thing at a time, and confidently do what you have done thousands of times (make kicks). You know how to make field goals, so don't let your emotions convince you otherwise.
A Bit About Nate
Nate Reed was a highly recruited kicker out of Wadsworth, Ohio. In addition to place kicking, he served his team as a defensive back, wide receiver, running back, and punter. Nate was named to the All-Ohio Second Team, All-County, All-Suburban League and All Northeast Inland District First Teams as a kicker. Also, he earned All-Sun Receiver, All-Beacon Journal as well as Coaches' All-Star by the Suburban League Coaches. During his senior year, Nate had 31 extra points, 7 field goals, 25 touchbacks, 430 rushing yards, 98 receiving yards, 21 solo tackles and one interception.
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At Kent State, Nate was a three-year lettermen. He handled all of the kickoff duties his freshmen year. During his sophomore and junior years, Nate was responsible for all kicking duties. Unfortunately, Nate partially tore his quad at practice and was force to sit out his senior year.
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During his three years of play, Nate made 27 field goals, 62 extra points. He finished 21st in the nation with 1.5 field goals/game in 2007. Nate either set or tied school records for: longest field goal (52 yards), most field goals in a game (4) and most field goals in a season (18).