Burnet punter to play for SMU; aims to find cure for Alzheimer’s
Burnet High School senior Alex Melvin (center) and parents Samantha (left) and Eric Melvin hosted a ceremony May 28 to celebrate Alex signing to play football for Southern Methodist University. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — By signing to play football for Southern Methodist University, Burnet High School senior Alex Melvin is setting his own course that’s different from older brother Nick and father Eric.
The elder Melvin played lacrosse for the University of Michigan, while Nick Melvin is pursing a career in baseball. Alex Melvin’s mother is Samantha Melvin.
“I started punting my sophomore year and fell in love with it,” said Alex Melvin, who also will be a kicker. “I pursued it to the best of my ability. It has contributed to me being able to accomplish this.”
The kicker connected on field goals from 21, 24, 31 and 40 yards in 2014.
Melvin said his comfort with the coaching staff, including new head coach Chad Morris, played a factor in his decision.
“I went up there early this spring,” he said. “His personal relationships are really good. They have good attitudes coming to practice. He’s all about hard work; that’s what I’m about.”
He is a preferred walk-on, which means he’s guaranteed a spot on the 105-player roster.
“I’ll be competing for the starting job, and we’ll see where it goes from there,” he said.
By becoming a college kicker, he follows in the footsteps of Burnet’s Austin Huff, who played at Texas State University last year, and Ross Evans, who played for Texas Christian University.
Melvin said he learned how to have the proper mindset and attitude from Huff and Nate Turner, a Burnet coach who worked with kickers.
“(Coach Turner) definitely supported us and was very knowledgeable as well,” he said.
He plans to pursue a degree in molecular biology and will add a doctorate with the aim of finding cures for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, though he said he doesn’t have anyone close to him who suffers from either condition.
“Last summer, I really started to learn about it and how detrimental it is and being able to make strides in that field,” he said. “It hits home with me.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
2 thoughts on “Burnet punter to play for SMU; aims to find cure for Alzheimer’s”
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Welcome to the Hilltop! Looking forward to seeing you set school records as a Mustang! #PonyUp #BeatBaylor
Just a note to congratulate Alex for his future at SMU. I graduated from there 66 years ago this month with some of the best football players ever — Doak Walker for one. I also had classes with Kyle Rote. I was there when SMU beat Notre Dame. With Alex on the team, I bet they could do it again!! I hope that Alex has as wonderful time there as I did.