Top 2020 Kicker Commits to Kirby, UGA
ATHENS - It appears UGA has its kicking candidate of the future.
Jared Zirkel, a 2020 kicker from Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, announced on social media that he’s committed to the Bulldogs. UGA assistant coach Glenn Schumann retweeted the announcement.
“I would like to thank the (UGA) football staff, especially coach Scott Fountain, coach Greg Meyer and head coach Kirby Smart for providing me with the opportunity to be a part of the UGA football team,” Zirkel said. “I am excited to announce my commitment to the University of Georgia.”
The announcement solves some debate about the future of the place kicking spot at UGA. The pending departure of Rodrigo Blankenship leaves a void at that position after the 2019 season. If Zirkel signs with the Bulldogs he would be only the third specialist to sign under Kirby Smart.
According to reporting from the Kerrville Daily Times, Zirkel beat out 150 other kickers at UGA’s kicking camp earlier this month. Brent Grablachoff, who owns Kicking World, told the Times that Zirkel’s win in Athens was significant.
“Coach Fountain said that there was a tremendous amount of talent, so it was no layup by any means,” Grablachoff told the paper. “I think it validates his legitimacy as a true Division-I recruit. … He sort of shook up the recruiting circuit by besting 150 kids at a Top-5 Division I football program.”
“I really do want to play college football,” Zirkel told the Times. “I just want to play it somewhere that really works for me to go to school too. Hopefully, I get an offer from one of the schools that I want.”