After releasing both 2022 fourth-round pick Jake Camarda as well as his replacement Trenton Gill, the Bucs are set to try out their third punter of the season this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Rookie Jack Browning, out of San Diego State, will be making his NFL debut. And there is quite a bit to like about the former Aztec.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles spoke well of him during a recent press conference saying, “He can boom it. He can place it where it needs to be placed.”

#Bucs HC Todd Bowles says that P Jack Browning has got a lot of talent.

“He can boom it, he can place it where it needs to be placed. [Trenton] Gill had a bad game…”

Tampa Bay hopes the third time is the charm at the punter position this season. pic.twitter.com/aLAV4R7sAg

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) December 4, 2024

Bucs Punter Jack Browning By The Numbers

Former Bucs P Trenton Gill – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Over his two years with the Aztecs, Jack Browning had 122 punts for 5,573 yards, averaging 45.7 yards and netting 42.2 yards per punt. His career long was 66 yards, and he put 56 punts inside the opposing team’s 20-yard line. Another nine punts went for touchbacks while only 33% of his boots were returned.

Looking at those numbers across this year’s NFL landscape here is where he would rank in various categories:

• T-28th in yards per punt
• 17th in net yards per punt
• 8th in % of punts inside 20
• 5th lowest in % of punts returned

While his average yards per punt isn’t eye-popping, Browning’s talents lie in reducing risk through returns and keeping his net average very close to his gross. The 3.5 yards difference between his gross average in college and his net average would rank second to only New Orleans’ Lou Hedley among NFL punters this year.

And it’s not like he can’t launch a deep shot as evidenced by his multiple shots of 60+ yards over the course of his two seasons in college following “Punt God” Matt Araiza.

Jack Browning According To The Experts

I asked some experts in the world of analyzing punters about Browning and what Bucs fans can expect from their newest specialist. The team behind the X/Twitter account Puntalytics (@ThePuntRunts) said Browning was an intriguing college prospect who didn’t quite meet their draftable thresholds, but was someone who they thought could catch on as an undrafted free agent. That is the path he has taken to this first look with the Bucs.

The Greatest Punting Performance Ever?

I recently wrote about Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs’ possible block of the year in Week 13’s game against the Panthers. And as great as that performance in a single play is, Jack Browning may have him matched over the course of an entire game. On September 11, 2022 Browning posted perhaps the greatest single game by a punter in college football history.

Jack Browning tonight:

– 6 punts, 47.5 avg., 6 In20, 5 In10, 4 In5 (avg. ISU field position – 4.8)
– 1-for-1 FG
– 5-for-5 PAT
– 7 KO, 65.7 avg., 6 TB (lone non-TB came when he kicked from the 20 after an Aztec penalty)
– 1 rush, 26 yards on a fake punt

— Jamie McConeghy (@McConeghySDSU) September 11, 2022

A single tweet covering this historic feat just won’t do it justice, so I found you a 4-and-a-half-minute video to properly document this feat of brilliance.

The Multi-Faceted Jack Browning

In addition to punting, Jack Browning handled the kicking duties for San Diego State. Between 2022 and 2023, he hit 35 of his 47 attempts. This is nowhere near the Chase McLaughlin level of accuracy Bucs fans are used to, but it does provide Tampa Bay with better insurance than the typical punter. And Browning’s leg is one that can hit from down town.

Jack Browning from 61 yards out! 😳 pic.twitter.com/IXOfPjy8h5

— Kicker Update (@kickerupdate) October 1, 2023

And considering the Bucs are willing to run a fake punt this year, Browning may be able to help in that department as well.

We know Halloween isn’t until Monday, but @jackbrowning131 is out here getting his tricks in early.

📺: @FS1#TheTimeIsNow | #AztecFootball100 pic.twitter.com/vDrn3m0uCo

— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) October 30, 2022

The Bucs don’t need a panacea at punter. They just need consistently competent. Jake Camarda couldn’t get the consistency down. And Trenton Gill struggled with the competence.

Week 13 punter rankings: pic.twitter.com/y2u7ht6bAz

— Puntalytics (@ThePuntRunts) December 2, 2024

Perhaps with Browning it may finally happen for the Bucs.