Matt

Araiza

Araiza (6'2/200) is still waiting to workout at the combine, but a video of him booming a near 80-yard punt during warmups is already going viral. Araiza will be a coveted special teamer in this year’s NFL Draft. The former San Diego Aztec excels as both a punter and a kicker, and averaged 51.2 yards per punt for his career. While capable of playing both positions, Araiza will likely serve as a punter in the NFL.

Araiza’s (6'2"/200) stock couldn’t get any higher than this, so this makes sense. “Punt God” as they call him, made the most waves of probably any punter in recent memory, with absolutely booming punts (two punts this year went over 80 yards) as well as elite accuracy, at one point landing 38 of 38 punts inside the opponents 20. If you haven’t seen a clip of the big ones, do yourself a favor and take a look. He also, predictably, won the Ray Guy Award for 2021, awarded to the best punter in college football. Araiza will forgo his final season of eligibility and will be playing on Sundays next year.

Araiza (6'2/200) has been a valuable asset for the Aztecs all season, and has unquestionably been one of the best punters in the nation. Per Pro Football Focus, Araiza has landed 38 of his 38 punts inside his opponent’s 20-yard line, the most of any punter this season. And his yards per punt attempt average (51.4) ranks second in the nation behind Oklahoma’s Michael Turk. Araiza has done more than just punt for the Aztecs, having also converted on 13-of-20 field goal attempts on the season while nailing all 36 of his extra point attempts. Of his seven missed field goals, five of them have come from distances of 50-yards or more.