Miami Hurricanes Lou Hedley can become first All-American punter
After being named to the all preseason first team by Walter Camp, Lou Hedley can become the first Miami Hurricanes punter to earn that distinction. Kicker Carlos Huerta became the first Miami specialist to be named a first-team All-American in 1991. Todd Sievers was the first-team All-American kicker in 2001.
Huerta and Sievers won the honors on National Championship teams. Devin Hester was the third Miami specialist named All-American as a kick returner in 2003. Hedley was the second-team All-American punter last season. Defensive end Jaelan Phillips was named to multiple All-American teams in 2020.
Hedley averaged 47.2 yards per punt in 2020 finishing second nationally to Presley Harvin of Georgia Tech. Miami set the FBS record for highest net punting average at 44.96 with a minimum of 40 punts. Harvin has moved on to the NFL, clearing the way for Hedley to be named first-team All-ACC and All-American.
Hedley teamed with former kicker Jose Borregales to give Miami the best pair of kicking specialists in college football in 2020. Borregales has moved on to the NFL. Borregales was a first-team All-American in 2020. The Hurricanes’ new kicker is Andres Borregales, the brother of Jose. Miami will continue its excellence in 2021.
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Borregales and Hedley have solidified the kicking game for Miami which struggled on various levels between 2016-2018. Hedley improved his 43.9 yards per punt in 2019. Hedley has 35 punts inside the 20 in two seasons with the Miami Hurricanes and forced 24 fair catches in 2020.
Hedley has become somewhat of a cult figure nationally and in his native Australia because he is covered with tattoos over nearly his entire body. Prior to coming to the United States to play in Junior College, Hedley played Australian Rules Football. Using those skills, Hedley has run three fake punts for 75 yards with Miami.
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Hedley will be a critical part of helping the Miami defense return to prominence last season after they regressed in 2020. Continuing to put opponents in poor field position will provide the Hurricanes defense a good start when they take the field. Hedley should be one of the team leaders for Miami in 2021.