39 days until South Carolina football, a look at number 39 Kai Kroeger

Punters don't get a lot of love around the game of football. Well, most punters don't get a lot of love around the game of football. South Carolina football punter Kai Kroeger is the exception.

Kroeger is one of the best special teamers in the history of the Gamecock program, and as far as punters go, he could go down as the best to ever do it in garnet and black.g

Even after a sub-par (by his standards) 2023 campaign, Kroeger ranks near the top of the South Carolina football record books in most punting categories. His 2022 season is probably the best punting season ever in Columbia, and he has another opportunity to add to his legacy in 2024.

With just 39 days remaining until the Gamecocks kick off their season on August 31st against the Old Dominion Monarchs, #39 on the roster will be a major factor in the team's success this fall.

With a bounce-back performance as a redshirt senior, he will secure his spot as the best punter ever to wear garnet and black, and a strong year from Kroeger certainly will make things better for the team as a whole.

The Illinois native has been a weapon in the punting game, combining punt length, hang time, and touch to pin opponents deep in their own territory. He also provides the added element of special teams trickeration. Kroeger is a good athlete as far as punters are concerned, and having been a high school quarterback, he has had more than his fair share of first down conversions and touchdown tosses on fake punt plays.

New special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis was one of the best special teams gurus in the NFL for years, so it stands to reason that Kroeger will return to form. Coach Joe D also has said this offseason that he likes fakes and gadget plays on special teams, so fans can hope to see Kai Kroeger passing the ball to defensive linemen and longsnappers again this fall.