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With Sterling Hofrichter’s commitment yesterday the Orange will vastly improve its kicking game. According to Kohlskicking.com, Hofrichter is the sixth-best kicker in the 2015 class, and the 13th-rated punter.
Last season Syracuse missed four extra points and six field goals. The Orange started last year expecting Ross Krautman to kick but he went down with a hip injury and missed the majority of the season. Ryan Norton then emerged as the Orange’s kicker and was having a fairly solid season until he got suspended for underage drinking and had to miss SU’s game against Wake Forest. Norton was suspended again a few months ago for violating team rules and missed the spring game. Senior Alex Hodgkinson took over the kicking duties in Norton’s absence.
Hofrichter’s commitment means there will no longer be a kicker carousel in the Carrier Dome. Hofrichter should be the starter from day one.
Last December Scott Shafer watched Hofrichter kick a 55-yard field goal and was instantly sold. It really is hard not to be. Many kickers come in as preferred walk-ons and have to earn their scholarships but Shafer was so impressed he offered Hofrichter one on the spot.
Hofrichter can also punt and may take over both the kicking and punting jobs for the Orange in the future. In an interview with Syracuse.com he said, “From what it sounds like they want me to do both.” His scholarship offer makes even more sense if he ends up playing both positions. SU would be paying for two positions for the price of one.
Hofrichter is the 16th Orange commit for 2015 and will fill a clear need. His commitment caps a remarkable month for Syracuse recruiting: eight players committed this month alone. The class of 2015 is certainly shaping up nicely.
Posted by: Connor Morrissette
