Sterling Hofrichter — Meet the 2018 Syracuse Football team

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Dino Babers speaks to a referee during the first half of Syracuse's game.

Over the summer, The Juice Online will be featuring players on the 2018 Syracuse football team as we countdown to kickoff. Today, The Juice Online looks at punter/placekicker Sterling Hofrichter.

For the first time since the 2000 season, Syracuse will have the same player handling place kicking and punting duties.

Redshirt junior Sterling Hofrichter has excelled as SU’s starting punter the last two years, being named a candidate for the Ray Guy Award (given to the nation’s top punter) after he helped guide the punt unit to the best net punting average (41.3) in the ACC.

Hofrichter was also the team’s backup place kicker last season, and was moved to the top of the chart during spring practice. If that holds up, he’ll become the first player since Mike Shafer to do so.

Still, even with all of his early success, Hofrichter knows there’s more to do.

“I had a little streak (in 2017) where I wasn’t able to turn the balls over,” Hofrichter said during spring practice. “Kinda hurt my average there. So maybe just get more turnover balls, increase my average and increase the net at the same time.”

If he’s able to do so, he’ll build on an already impressive resume that includes being the only Orange player to be named to Phil Steele’s All-ACC First Team.

He’s once again SU’s Special Teams captain this season after he punted 57 times for 2,462 yards last year.

» More SU football: Kielan Whitner — Meet the 2018 Syracuse Football team

Inside slant: Hofrichter has diversified his portfolio even more, adding placekicking duties. He’ll be a key part of a special teams unit that was one of the best units in the ACC.

Vitals:

  • Birthdate: December 1996
  • Hometown: Valrico, Fla.
  • High School: Armwood
  • Position: Punter/Placekicker
  • Class: Redshirt Junior
  • Height: 5’9″
  • Weight: 197 lbs

Career highlights: Hofrichter has been a two-year starter, entering this year third on the Syracuse career record list for highest punting average and ranks 10th in yards (5,751). In 2016, he earned freshman All-America and All-ACC Honorable Mention honors, while being named to the Ray Guy watch list. He was a special teams captain in just his sophomore season.

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About Wes Cheng 2907 Articles
Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.