When punter Jack Stonehouse suits up for Syracuse this fall, his family won’t need to change much with their wardrobe.
“My high school colors were blue and orange so that’s easy for my family,” Stonehouse said in an interview with The Juice Online. “All they have to do is put on my high school uniform.”
All kidding aside, Stonehouse’s family—punting royalty—is happy that he’s found a new home. In his redshirt freshman season with Missouri, Stonehouse won the starting punting job midway through the season and averaged 42.4 yards per punt.
LETS GET TO WORK @CuseFootball #Committed https://t.co/a9Vdd8Xrxk
— Jack Stonehouse (@_JackStonehouse) December 21, 2022
He entered the portal in December and committed to the Orange on the first day of the early signing period. He’ll try to help a Syracuse punting unit that averaged just 35.02 yards per attempt this year (120th in the country).
“I want to make the special teams recognized,” Stonehouse said. “I want people to cheer for the special teams.”
One of the top reasons Stonehouse signed with Syracuse was SU’s coaching staff.
Stonehouse took an official visit over the past weekend, and spent extensive time with Syracuse special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky.
“Right away when I saw (Ligashesky’s) name, I knew I wanted to talk to him, because he’s really experienced,” Stonehouse said. “He’s been a special teams coordinator for a long time. Having someone who knows what they’re doing and who’s passionate about it, that was definitely a big part of why I chose Syracuse.”
Ligashesky was already familiar with the Stonehouse family, having recruited Stonehouse’s cousin, Ryan. Ryan starred at Colorado State and now punts for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
He’s not the only Stonehouse to have played at the collegiate level.
There’s Stonehouse’s father, John, who punted for USC and his uncles, Paul and Jeff, who played the same position at Stanford and Washington State.
» Related: Here’s everything that happened on Syracuse’s 2022 Early Signing Day
“The biggest thing for me is that I have an immediate coach no matter what time,” Stonehouse said. “If my Dad doesn’t answer me, I have four other numbers to call.”
All of that will help Stonehouse succeed at Syracuse, where he’ll also have the opportunity to punt in the controlled environment of a domed stadium.
“In a punting aspect, Syracuse is the best place for me,” Stonehouse said. “It’s going to be awesome for me. It’s perfect.”
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