Transfer kicker Zach Hoban left Rice with a scant nine games of experience, with all of his plays being kickoffs. Among Hoban’s stated reasons for transferring to Tech, a notable one is that Tech’s current kickers, Brian Johnson and John Parker Romo, are seniors. After sitting a year for the transfer, Hoban will likely enter a wide-open competition for all of the team’s kicking duties. The only competition on the roster would be Tech’s third current kicker, Mark Applegate, who hasn’t recorded any stats for the Hokies; and commit Kyle Lowe, who looks talented. Heck, Hoban was a decent high school punter who could even take a (leg) swing at senior Oscar Bradburn’s punting job.

At first glance Hoban seems to be the heir apparent to Romo, a fellow transfer and kickoff specialist who can soccer-style points and punt in a pinch. Hoban averages about 60 yards a kick, while Romo averages a touch more at about 64. Those four yards help make quite a difference, though, as only 23% of Romo’s KOs were returned, while half of Hoban’s were. A fairer comparison, though, might be to Romo’s stats at Central Arkansas, where as a true freshman he averaged 56 yards on his KOs. I’d expect Hoban’s oomph to have similarly improved by the time he’s eligible to play at Virginia Tech.

Hoban didn’t have any onside attempts at Rice, so there’s no telling what he can do there. He also didn’t have any tackles on the year, so I don’t know if he can backstop the way Joey Slye could. Hoban’s not as big as Slye (who was a good linebacker in high school), but he looks like a guy who takes care of his body. He also played high school lacrosse for a good program, so I’m guessing he’s a touch more athletic and physical than the stereotypical kicker.

Despite Rice being lousy with field goals, Hoban didn’t try any scrimmage kicks. When the usual starter got benched in a midseason game versus Louisiana Tech, a linebacker came in to kick an XP. Meanwhile, Hoban stuck with kickoffs. That leaves high school stats as a place to turn. While at Seton Hall Prep, he was a do-everything specialist. Kickoffs were where he excelled, but he also nailed some long field goals, including a 52-yarder off the grass. The distinction of kicking from the ground is a good one, since it is 1) the rule in college and 2) provides a clearer picture of his range than with high schoolers who get extra yardage from using a block.

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