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Succop hopes to hear name called

Photo courtesy of University of South Carolina sports information

South Carolina kicker and former Hickory star Ryan Succop will be waiting anixously in hopes of hearing his name called during this weekends NFL draft.

Paul Fogleman

Record Sports Correspondent

Published: April 23, 2009

Some time this weekend, probably late Sunday afternoon or maybe that evening, Ryan Succop's life is going to take a glorious turn.

The scenario should play out something like this: Succop and some of his brethren from the South Carolina football team, along with a few friends, will gather together somewhere in Columbia, S.C.

The former Gamecocks' kicker will be anxious, but not nervous. For he knows what is coming. It's just the waiting that is at once exhilarating – and aggravating.

Then Succop will get the call. It may come from his agent, or it might be from a representative from one of the 32 teams that claims membership in the National Football League.

If the call arrives that afternoon, he will be informed of which city he will call home for at least the next four or five months, and then he'll be told to turn up his TV. His name is about to be called in the NFL Draft, and he doesn't want to miss hearing it called and flashed upon the screen, as well as the chill that will accompany his draftee status.

If the call comes late in the day, or possibly that evening, then the pause for glory will have passed. But that will not mean that hope is lost.

In fact, the journey to fulfill it will have just begun, because some team will be contacting the guy with the thunderous leg, inviting him to try and secure a roster spot this fall.

Succop's a dreamer.

"To hear my name, that would be great because it's really something I've worked hard for the last seven years. Now the opportunity is almost here, and it's definitely exciting and hopefully will be rewarding."

Succop's also a realist.

"I understand it's tough for kickers to get drafted. Traditionally, maybe only two get drafted a year, but several teams have said they may not draft me as a kicker but sign me (as a free agent) on Sunday right after the draft."

If his name isn't among those barked out, the wait shouldn't be long before the former All-Southeastern Conference performer learns of his NFL destination.

In the NFL, size matters, and Succop has plenty of it. His 6-foot-3, 255-pound-frame translates into the power that teams now covet in a kicker, and workouts in recent weeks have left scouts drooling over the strength emanating from his right leg.

"They (teams) have liked the power I've shown," said Succop. "They say it's hard to find accurate field goal kickers who can also kick off into the end zone.

"But they also like my size because they say it makes me more durable."

And while size is definitely in his corner, two other assets also should be grabbing teams' attention as draft day approaches.

As much as power is craved, versatility is a premium that many specialists don't possess. Succop, however, is the exception.

Over his first three years dressed in garnet and black, he pulled double duty as the Gamecocks' kicker and punter, averaging over 42 yards per punt attempt.

Succop only had kicking chores during his senior season where a midseason injury hampered his final year's performance, resulting in his worst season statistically. Ironically, it's that injury, though, that has given him another leg up on his draft day competition: his toughness.

"I had a sports hernia I played with for much of the season. Going through that was a really frustrating time," said Succop, who connected on just 66.7 percent of his field goal tries in 2008.

"But it's kind of been a blessing in disguise, because teams have said that if I could kick through that, I can kick through anything."

Total up his strength, durability and versatility, and the former Hickory High standout may be the most intriguing specialist in this year's draft, and one of the most prized ones to arrive in recent memory, says his agent.

"I think he's the most talented kicker to come out since (former Clemson All-American) Chris Gardocki," said Joel Turner. "He's the biggest kid in the draft at his position, and there's nobody in the draft who has the range he has and can punt like he can.

"There are a legitimate half dozen teams that have given him a draft grade, whether it be (rounds) five, six or seven."

Whatever the grade Succop earns this weekend, it will ultimately be a passing one.

Asked if he had an inkling of where he might land, Succop was quick with his response. "Not really," he said, adding that he has worked out for six teams. "They've all been really positive, and they've all said I have the talent to play in the league and kick the ball well."

Asked if he had a preference as to where he would like to take his skills, Succop was a bit coyer with his answer.

"There is, but I've been told I probably shouldn't say," he said before admitting he had three favorites without naming names.

The hope for his name, though, is simply to be heard before the curtain falls on this year's draft. If not, it still may very well be splashed across the back of some NFL jersey this fall.

Succop knows the dream is out there. All he has to do is go and get it.

There will plenty of kicking in the future to try and grab it.

This weekend, let's hope there's a little screaming to start the chase.