Recruiting season is well in the rear-view, but Miami head coach Al Golden continues to reel in more integral pieces for his 2013 squad. The latest addition; punter Pat O’Donnell, a Cincinnati transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.
O’Donnell is a 2009 product of Palm Beach Central who only used three years of eligibility with the Bearcats. The 6-foot-5, 222-pounder averaged 42.6 yards-per-punt over the past two seasons with Cincy and 41.8 yards per punt on 59 attempts with the Bearcats in 2012.
Getting more specific, O’Donnell also while dropped 23 kicks inside the 20-yard line, had ten kicks of fifty-plus yards and was a first-team all-Big East selection in 2011 and second-team last season.
O’Donnell enters Miami as the number one punter and second-ranked kickoff specialist, according to Tuesday’s depth chart.
Miami lost Dalton Botts after the 2012, a two-year transfer option who not only punted for the Canes, but was a key component regarding kickoff coverage, never afraid to throw a body, lay a hit or get a much-needed stop.
Between O’Donnell’s size – and leg – seems a nice little find for UM this upcoming season, and one less thing to worry about regarding veteran leadership at the position.