Oklahoma K Zach Schmit Shaking Off Early Nerves And ‘Ready to Go’ When Needed

A dependable place kicker could make or break a group.

As redshirt sophomore Zach Schmit replaces Gabe Brkic because the one knocking the additional factors and discipline targets via the uprights, he notes how the earlier two seasons sitting behind the fan favourite Brkic helped him be prepared for this chance.

“Being behind Gabe (Brkic) actually helped me out the previous two years,” Schmit mentioned after observe on Tuesday night. “I used to be capable of go in opposition to him and simply proceed to get higher as a kicker and individual every day. So coming into this fall camp and going in opposition to Gavin (Marshall), he’s an awesome kicker. That was actually good. It was actually enjoyable although. It’s cool to be the beginning man after being behind Gabe. And I’m excited for it. I used to be a bit nervous to begin off with. However it’s been good now. The jitters are out and I’m able to go.”

Brkic gained followers over together with his huge character and a swagger degree not usually seen from the kicking place – one thing Schmit hopes to take from him as he continues his Sooners tenure.

“His (Brkic) confidence was big,” Schmit mentioned. “I bear in mind coming in as a freshman, I used to be nervous. And he would sit there with only a cool, calm and picked up perspective. I used to be all the time questioning how he may do it. So over the previous two years, I simply type of took notes on his routine, what he would do earlier than kicks and every little thing. Simply took notes on it, adopted it. And it is serving to out so much. Confidence has been big for me.”

Schmit is aware of that having perception in oneself is important for a kicker to get the job executed on a weekly foundation. With out that, issues are doubtless not going to finish properly for a place that has a psychological part maybe as excessive as any on the sector.

“You simply need to trust in your self,” Schmit mentioned. “That’s the largest factor. Should you don’t trust in your self it’s by no means going to finish properly. So I simply all the time know to inform myself I’m prepared. I’ve executed it 1,000 occasions. I come out right here and kick in observe. Every part’s nice. I do know what to do. Simply let the basics and approach take over.”

Along with the years working with Brkic, Schmit can also be aided by a training employees that has put a a lot bigger emphasis on particular groups than the earlier regime.

Brent Venables and firm have put a premium on ensuring the third aspect of the ball is buttoned up for gameday, even bringing in Jay Nunez as a particular groups analyst over the offseason.

“Coach Nunez has executed an awesome job coming in,” Schmit mentioned. “He got here in from EMU (Japanese Michigan) and he is executed an awesome job at simply bonding with the group and actually getting them purchased in on particular groups. Typically you need to use particular groups as simply an additional process. However now guys are actually seeing it as an awesome alternative for them to boost their recreation and simply be higher for themselves and their inventory. So an enormous emphasis on particular groups, which I really like.”

Surrounding Schmit are a few school soccer veterans in lengthy snapper Kasey Kelleher and punter/holder Michael Turk – who’re each within the midst of their sixth seasons.

Having that veteran presence working with him to get the job executed solely offers extra consolation for Schmit as he takes the sector for every kick.

“Kasey and Turk have been superior for me,” Schmit mentioned. “They’re sixth 12 months guys. They’re my mentors just about. They’ve helped me via this course of. And so they’ve executed it 1,000 occasions. They have been via the products and bads of kicking and snapping. So that they’ve simply actually helped me settle down as a kicker. They have been actually good for me. They’ve helped me a ton.”

Now, with every little thing all arrange for Schmit to take the OU kicking job and run with it – he’s greater than able to seize the chance in entrance of him.

In Saturday’s season opener in opposition to UTEP, Schmit went 6-for-6 on further level makes an attempt and made his one and solely discipline objective try.

“It was enjoyable,” Schmit mentioned. “I used to be truly actually excited for that. You ran on the market with 80,000 followers. It’s type of surreal. You dream of it as a child about being out on that discipline. So it was a whole lot of enjoyable getting on the market.”

Whereas the primary wave of kicks had been all relative chip photographs, Schmit notes that his leg is able to be placed on show from deep when the scenario requires it.

“I really feel good 60 (yards) and in,” Schmit mentioned. “I really feel actually good. I have been hitting the ball rather well via fall camp and thru the season. So 60 and in I might say is my vary. If we’re gonna kick that, who is aware of, however I am prepared for when my identify is known as.”

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