On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their second fourth-round selection in the 2022 draft, number 133 overall, to select Georgia punter Jake Camarda, representing the highest pick they had invested in the position since 1988. Camarda was worth that investment to the Buccaneers because they believe he can seriously impact the team’s fortunes on special teams in multiple ways.
Vice President of Player Personnel John Spytek referred to Camarda as a ‘two-phase’ player, meaning he excels at both punts and kickoffs, and also noted his surprising athleticism for a punter.
“He’s just another really good football player, a really talented athlete,” said Spytek. “He’s 6-1, 190 [pounds], he ran a 4.56 40 [at the Combine]. He can really do it all – he’s a punter, he’s a kickoff guy and was actually Georgia’s emergency kicker as well. You expect him to be a two-phase guy in the NFL. He does both of those things at a very high level.”
Camarda averaged 45.8 yards per punt over four seasons with the Bulldogs, including a 46.7-yard mark on 144 punts over his final three seasons. The Georgia native showed off both his leg strength and his touch by hitting 67 punts of over 50 yards and 17 of over 60 yards but also downing 70 punts inside the 20.
“As a punter, he really can do everything you’re looking for at the position,” said Spytek. “He’s got a huge leg. He’s got what we call ‘easy power’ – a really easy leg swing and the ball just jumps off his foot. He can kick the ball a long way but he can also hang it. What you don’t want is the 60-yard punt with the low hang time because those just get run back straight into your face. You want the 60-yard punt with the five second-plus hang time to give your guys a chance to cover the kick, and now you can flip the field. He can do that. And he’s a great pooch punter as well. He’s got a great ability to hang the ball up and get it down inside the 10-yard line.”
Spytek and Bucs Director of College Scouting Mike Biehl saw an…