By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Looks like Bill Belichick has identified his new kicker. With the 159th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected kicker Justin Rohrwasser out of Marshall.
What stands out the most about Rohrwasser at first glance is his size. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, borderline linebacker size at the kicker spot. He played in all 13 games in his first season at Marshall in his junior year, then made 18 of 21 field goals and 35 of 36 extra points as a senior. Rohrwasser also made 33 touchbacks in 62 kickoff attempts.
His longest field goal as a senior went for 53 yards. It was a game-winner as time expired against Western Kentucky.
Rohrwasser grew up with ambitions to play soccer, but he was a gifted football player. He played both quarterback and kicker in high school for Holy Trinity in New York and his father saw his potential to kick at the highest level.
Citing Sebastian Janikowski and Matt Bryant as influences on his kicking style, Rohrwasser remarked to Herd Zone that he doesn’t have much of a follow-through in his kicking motion. Perhaps that made him a more unconventional kicking prospect in the NFL Draft compared to more high-profile prospects such as Rodrigo Blankenship out of Georgia.
Nobody will care how it looks if Rohrwasser can make his kicks consistently. Hopefully, just like Stephen Gostkowski before him, Rohrwasser won’t have to make Bill Belichick worry much about the kicker position for a while.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
