JUSTIN YOON
Nashville, TN
Measurables: 5'11", 185 lbs.
Accolades: Under Armour All-American, No. 1 kicker in nation per 247 Sports, 5-star rating, Kohl’s Kicking Camp, No. 1 kicker in the country per Kohl’s kicking camp.
Other Impressive Offers: Texas A&M, Northwestern, Boston College
Projected Position: Placekicker
Quick Take: With Kyle Brindza graduated, the kicking job is Yoon’s. That puts a ton on the shoulders of the Under Armour All-American, who seemed to thrive in the pressure of the All-Star game.
Yoon suffered a back injury that took him off the field for most of his senior season, but his leg power is back. The Irish are certainly putting a lot on Yoon’s plate, but there’s a reason Brian Kelly and Notre Dame offered him a scholarship.
What he means for the Irish: Yoon’s an immediate starter. And as we saw when Kyle Brindza’s season went wayward, that’s a crucial job. We won’t truly know what Yoon’s made of until his number gets called against Texas in the opening. But on paper, you can’t ask for a better freshman kicking candidate.
Obligatory YouTube clip: Here’s Yoon launching some bombs at Kohl’s kicking camp.
***