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Sunday, August 29, 2021

2021 Season Countdown: #7 Jake Moody

 

Michigan kicker Jake Moody (2) kicks a field goal to go up 3-0 in the first quarter of their college football game against Notre Dame at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, October 26, 2019. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Name: Jake Moody
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
211 lbs.
High school:
Northville (MI) Northville
Position:
Kicker
Class:
Senior
Jersey number:
#13
Last year:
I ranked Moody #30 and said he would be the starting kickoff specialist and the part-time placekicker (LINK). He was the kickoff specialist and made 1/4 field goals.
TTB Rating:
N/A

Moody had a season to forget in 2020. And really that forgettable stretch began in the middle of 2019. After making just 2/5 field goals to end that campaign, Moody made just 1/4 field goals last season - including going 0/3 against Minnesota in the season opener. The confidence for Michigan's kickers has been shaky for the past few seasons, as Moody and Quinn Nordin (now with the Patriots) have alternated. One iffy kicker would be benched for another iffy kicker.

Now there's only one iffy scholarship kicker on the roster, and it's Moody. Michigan does have walk-on Cole Hussung and freshman punter/kicker Tommy Doman. Both have potential, but guessing at kicker talent based on highlights is a fool's errand. Every well regarded kicker/punter has the potential to kick 50-yard field goals and average 45 yards per punt, but do they have the consistent technique and emotional stability to handle the job?

I'm not convinced that Moody can handle the ups and downs of kicking at Michigan, but options are limited. Perhaps with Nordin out of the way, he can settle in and be more consistent. I struggled with where to place Moody because of his inconsistency, but with an offense that may lack explosiveness, it would really help to have a guy who can put the ball through the uprights regularly and prevent too many empty trips into opponent territory.

Predictions: Starting kickoff specialist and placekicker

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