Burnet kicker Austin Huff meets goal of playing at collegiate level

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — Burnet High School senior kicker and punter Austin Huff made his commitment official to the Texas State University football team March 7 when he signed a letter of intent.

“I’m excited,” he said over and over with a giant grin on his face. “It feels like home. The area is beautiful, the campus is really homey.”

Huff had attended two camps during the summer and accepted an invitation to an evaluation camp. That’s when he got to know special-teams coordinator Brad Franchione, the son of head coach Dennis Franchione.

Brad Franchione told Huff the Bobcats see him as a punter because of his 6-foot-2-inch frame.

“He’s really awesome,” Huff said. “I have a really strong leg. Coaches are so down to earth. They tell you how it is.”

Part of what they’ve told Huff is he has the potential and talent to play in the NFL.

He said he’ll redshirt this season as a preferred walk-on and looks forward to playing on the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

The son of Jon and Cindy Huff plans to major in business and finance.

Burnet head football coach Kurt Jones said Huff had options on where to play.

“We’re extremely proud of him and sorry to be losing him,” he said. “He had a lot of people who wanted him. He’s an extremely talented kid. I have no doubt he’ll be successful at the next level.”

Bulldogs kicking coach Nate Turner recalled telling Huff years ago that kickers and punters must be masters of three factors to be successful: flexibility, technique and consistency.

He said Huff developed all three during the hot summer days, the cold winter days and passing up other activities to get stronger in the weight room. In short, Huff had a goal, he said, and wasn’t swayed.

“I think Texas State is extremely lucky to have not only a talented kicker and punter but also a talented athlete,” he said. “He’s the full package.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com