Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 39 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY DAVID MCKINNEY Notre Dame punter signee Jay Bramblett understands that his job is to flip the field to assist his defense, and he's one of the best in the coun- try at doing just that. Bramblett, the No. 3 punter in the nation per Kohl's Kicking, punted 41 times for an average of 45.1 yards with a long of 59 during his senior season at Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Hillcrest. Punting is an important part of the game to be sure, but each time he took the field for a punt in 2018 there was a little extra motivation for the Notre Dame early enrollee. Through Alex's Lemonade Stand — a foundation for childhood cancer research — Bramblett set up a dona- tion page that asked people to give, including a program that allowed donors to pledge a certain amount of money per yard Bramblett punted. Bramblett has seen first-hand the struggles of families with children afflicted by cancer, so he decided to turn his physical gifts into a vehicle for change. "My mom works at a children's hospital in Birmingham and does a lot of work with cancer patients," Bram- blett said. "I've had family friends and known several people that have dealt with childhood cancer." Bramblett said he heard about the program while attending a kicking camp in Atlanta, and knew instantly it was something he wanted to pursue. "A lot of kids can't do that, so that was a big deal to me," he said. By the end of the season, Bram- blett had raised more than $1,000 for childhood cancer research, just by doing what he's been doing for years now. Being able to see that final num- ber was an indelible moment for him. "It's a great feeling knowing a lot of people could benefit from it and a lot of good could come from it," he said. Growing up, Bramblett not only worked with cancer patients, but also frequently volunteered at soup kitch- ens and drug rehabilitation centers. The future Irish specialist credits his heart for service to his parents and the way they brought him up. "My parents have been great and have raised me great," Bramblett said. "I've always tried to do those kinds of things." Bramblett added that it will always be important for him to give back. "It's a big deal to me because I know people around me with different cancers and disabilities," he said. "I understand what it's like and what they have to go through." For Bramblett, put- ting a solid hang time on the ball and pinning the opposing offense on the 1-yard line gets his adrenaline running, but it pales in compari- son to the feeling he gets when he knows he's helped improve the life of another hu- man being. That sensation, Bramblett said, has no equal, on or off the football field. "It's heartwarming knowing that I can help them and make a difference in their lives by doing something I would be doing anyway," he said. "It's all about finding opportunities to help other people." When the 2019 foot- ball season arrives, or even spring practice next month, Bramblett will almost assuredly be asked to take over punting duties from departed captain and four-year starter Tyler Newsome. Newsome is a for- mer winner of the Irish Around The Bend award, given annu- ally to the Notre Dame player who has shown outstanding dedication to charitable efforts. It appears Bramblett is ready to follow in Newsome's altruistic foot- steps in more ways than one. ✦ JAY BRAMBLETT PUNTER 6-1 · 185 HILLCREST H.S. TUSCALOOSA, ALA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 5 — ✪ ✪ ✪ — 5 29 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 2 73 STATISTICS • Punted 41 times for an average of 45.1 yards with a long of 59 as a senior. Also served as Hill- crest's starting quarterback, and completed 178 of 260 passes for 2,341 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. • Punted 56 times for an average of 39.0 yards, with 25 downed inside the 20 as a junior. HONORS • 2018 West Alabama 6A/7A Player of the Year • 2018 6A All-State selection • 2018 Alabama Super All-State • 2017 Montgomery Advertiser Alabama Class 6A All-State first team ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • 2019 All-American Bowl participant • 2018 All-USA Football Team RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on May 30, 2018, and in enrolled in January 2019. • Picked the Irish over an offer from Missouri. • Primarily recruited to Notre Dame by special teams coach Brian Polian. • Took three total visits to Notre Dame, includ- ing an official one for the Stanford game Sept. 29. NOTABLE • Born on Jan. 3, 2000. • Worked with the charity Alex's Lemonade Stand to raise money for childhood cancer re- search through pledges connected to his punting yardage during his senior campaign. 2019 PROJECTION • Bramblett was recruited to come in and win the starting punting job as a true freshman. THEY SAID IT Hillcrest head coach Sam Adams: "A lot of high school kids try to lead and don't get any- body following them, but Jay's not that way. "He's got a good, positive personality and has the ability to get on the other guys when that's necessary. All-around, he's everything you're looking for at any level." Special teams coordinator Brian Polian: "Jay Bramblett is one of the most polished high school punters in the country. "He's athletic, mechanically sound and dedi- cated to his craft." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Bram- blett is an impressive athlete, which is vitally important for a punter. The better the athlete the more explosive potential he has as a kicker and the easier it is for him to repeat his delivery kick after kick. "He gets excellent lift on his kicks, and his ability to get distance plus hang time makes him arguably the best punter in the nation. That lift makes his kicks harder to block, and hang time is often what separates good punters from great punters." Jay Bramblett Punts With A Purpose Bramblett raised more than $1,000 for childhood cancer research through his punting efforts as a senior, when he averaged 45.1 yards per attempt. PHOTO BY COREY BODDEN