Texans work out strong-legged Arkansas kicker Jake Bates

HOUSTON – Arkansas kicker Jake Bates has an extremely robust leg, booming kickoffs with such distance and power that he was named All-Southeastern Convention first-team as a kickoff specialist in s hione season for the Razorbacks.

The Texas State switch earned an invite from the Texans to their native prospect day after main the SEC and rating fourth nationally with a 64.47 yards per kickoff common and 64 touchbacks to rank fourth nationally.

After hitting a 67-yard area purpose on the Arkansas Professional Day that might have simply been good from 70 yards and going 14 for 14 inside 55 yards, the Tomball graduate spent Thursday understanding for Texans particular groups coordinator Frank Ross on the AFC South franchise’s indoor facility.

“It was actually cool to get in entrance of a few of these coaches,” Bates stated in a phone interview. “Being round Houston, the Texans are the workforce you and your folks root for. Being part of the group for a day and seeing your self there of their constructing, it was a extremely cool expertise. I didn’t even know the native prospect day was a factor. It went very well.”

Bates led all Soccer Championship faculties with a 85.3 touchback share with 64 of his 75 kickoffs leading to a touchback. He additionally had an onside kick towards Alabama that was recovered by the Razorbacks.

As a result of each Arkansas and Texas State had robust kickers, Bates was a kickoff specialist at each faculties.

He averaged 62.76 yards per kickoff in his remaining season at Texas State and had 35 touchbacks on 53 kickoffs.

A former soccer participant at Central Arkansas, Bates was an all-district and offensive Most Invaluable Participant for the Tomball soccer workforce.

“The large factor all of the individuals I talked to requested was, ‘How did you not kick area objectives?’” stated Bates, who’s represented by Philadelphia-based veteran NFL agent Marty Magid of MRM Sports activities. “From what I’m listening to, my type and swing seems to be very pure and clear and with a leg so robust, I don’t must swing as laborious. I used to be behind actually good kickers they usually by no means did something in a recreation to warrant a change. They didn’t deserve that. I’m attempting to maximise my publicity.”

Bates labored out for the Texans together with Texas Tech kicker Trey Wolff, Oklahoma punter Michael Turk and Rice kicker Christian VanSickle.

“We met with coach Ross and talked about tendencies and what we will count on from the day and he watched us kick and ran the present,” Bates stated. “I did nicely, perhaps certainly one of two kicks I want I may have again. I put in an excellent efficiency. The principle factor was to point out I’ve a giant leg.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com