We recently caught up with Hoggard head coach Scott Braswell to talk about NC State Football commit Wil Baumann and his experience coaching the star punter headed to Raleigh.

On his experience coaching Wil Baumann…

“We’ve been really blessed at Hoggard to have a run of really great kickers. Going back to Connor Barth who went on to kick at UNC and then on to the Tampa Bay Bucs. I kind of think Wil is cut from the same mold. He’s a long-legged kid that has a big upside. Wil has a great work ethic and an explosiveness with the ball. He also has a great work ethic in the classroom and the weight room. Even though it isn’t necessarily obvious right now that Wil is seeing progress in the weight room, he is working really hard and seeing results.

On his recruitment…

“We’re very excited to get a player to NC State. Wil had an offer from Northwestern. He had high interest from ECU, South Carolina, Florida and Clemson. He went to visit Northwestern, because they had offered him, and visited NC State because they had offered him. When he went to NC State, I think everything just clicked with the campus, the coaching staff and being close to home. Wil committed on is visit and we are very excited for him.”

On the significance of offering early…

“Some kids really enjoy all of the attention of the recruiting process. Sometimes that can become a negative. All along Wil just wanted to find a school he felt comfortable with and commit. To be honest with you that was kind of refreshing for me. To see a kid that didn’t want to drag it a long and garner a bunch of attention. His mind set was if someone is interested in me, then I’m interested in them, and I’m going to decide. He did a good job going to camps and getting the exposure that he needed. He did a good job researching the schools. He had done his research on NC State and when he visited he was ready to decide.”

On Baumann being ranked as the #2 punter in the country…

“He’s the best punter we’ve ever had. He was All-State last year, averaging 44 yards a punt. He also does a good job with kickoffs and field goals as well. I think he’s got a big upside. His body is going to continue to mature. He’s just going to get better and better. He could be an NFL guy if he stays healthy. Wil has watched Conner and Casey Barth come through the program. He has seen them display what it takes to be a Division-I kicker and possibly an NFL kicker. He’s gone to the same camps that they have and put in the same hours.”