Punter got better with each kick after first try was blocked

Johnny Hekker is a true freshman walk-on, still figuring out all the aspects of the college football game.

However, he has been entrusted by the Oregon State football team to stabilize the punting situation.

After a rough first game Hekker appears ready for the challenge. The 6-foot-5, 208-pounder joined the program in the summer, and won a position competition with two others during training camp.

“It’s a satisfying feeling that I came here and they recognized the hard work I’ve been doing, and I get an opportunity,” Hekker said.

“I’m willing to take that and do the best I can.”

Hekker punted two times last week against Stanford, averaging 32 yards. There was a long of 40 yards. He settled down with each attempt, and showed a strong upside.

A welcome to college moment came on his first attempt, which was partially blocked due to a protection breakdown. He was still strong enough that the ball traveled 13 yards.

“One was decent, one was shanked,” coach Mike Riley said. “There’s a lot better punting in store for him.”

Hekker’s next challenge is handling a capacity crowd of about 110,000 fans at No. 19 Penn State on Saturday. Beaver Stadium has 107,282 seats but the ticket office tends to shoehorn in more fans.

“People on the outside are going to see an 18-year-old kid in a stadium with 110,000 fans, or against USC a top-five team in the nation,” Hekker said. “You are going to think that’s a lot of pressure but I feel they are just games. I’ll be able to play.”

His cool attitude under pressure impressed the coaches. It came from being the top athlete out of Washington’s Bothell High.

Hekker was the quarterback for the football team and a standout basketball player. He led Bothell to a 4A state runner-up finish his senior season, throwing for more than 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“The first thing that hits you about John is he is a tremendous athlete,” special teams coordinator Dave Ungerer said. “He’s 6-5, and he’s really a good quarterback, baseball, track kid. He has great hands and can catch the ball.”

If a snap is bad Hekker can still pull it down and get the ball off. His size allows him to boot the ball high and far, even if he hits it badly.

“The next thing that gets me about John is his composure because he’s been in a lot of different games and different pressure scenarios,” Ungerer said. “He handles things really well if it goes well or bad. He doesn’t let things bother him.”

Hekker was looked at by several small schools at quarterback, but only had little interest by bigger schools. Riley watched his highlight tape, and saw at the end there were a few punts.

It was interesting enough that Riley forwarded it to Ungerer, who followed up on him. They saw potential there he could be their future punter.

Hekker grew up a Washington fan, but the opportunity to play in the Pacific-10 Conference lured him to Corvallis. OSU’s pharmacy school interested him.

He’s willing to give up being a quarterback to just being a punter if he can play at the highest level.

“I wanted to shoot for the stars,” Hekker said. “I’m not disappointed at all (at not being a quarterback). It’s up to the coaches if they want me to dabble, but I’m just going to work hard and be a punter first.”

Hekker’s ability to throw and run gives the Beavers the option for various fake punt plays.

He’s also working in as a backup holder so fake field goal options may become available in the future.

Once Hekker realized his future was in punting he became committed to improvement. He attended a skills camp in Alabama run by Mike McCabe before joining OSU.

Ungerer continued his growth, and now it’s all about refining his technique and directional punting.

“Right now I’m punting the best I’ve every punted,” Hekker said. “In high school punting was secondary to playing quarterback for me. ... With the results I’ve had of just focusing on punting, I’m very satisfied with what I’m doing.”

Quick hits

C Marcus Henderson and DT Mitchel Hunt returned to practice after their bouts with mono. ... OG Jeremy Perry (knee) is still day-to-day. ... Several walk-ons joined the team this week, including Corvallis High alum DE Curtis Dodson.