Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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30 MARCH 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MASON PLUMMER Kickers in college football are usu- ally over-scrutinzed or totally un- der the radar. Often the hero or the "zero," kickers are remembered for their misses while the makes are usu- ally forgotten. Notre Dame 2021 kicker signee Josh Bryan lives for the moment when the pressure is on, but it didn't come overnight. Growing up playing baseball, soc- cer and football, Bryan slowly became more accustomed to stressful situa- tions and how to work through them. As a pitcher in baseball, Bryan faced many pressure-packed moments on the mound that made kicks on the football field not quite as intimidating. "Baseball was always my second sport, next to football," Bryan said. "The mentality of being a pitcher and the aggressive nature that you need to pitch are very similar to kicking. You are the main person at your job and have all the eyes on you. I think of kicking like a bases-loaded situation." Bryan admitted that pressure used to get to him and it was something he has had to work on. Whether he pursued baseball, soccer or football at the collegiate level, he knew his mental game had to be strong. It turns out, he picked the position that can be the focal point of the most intense, clutch moments in football: the kicker. "I had to grow into being confident in myself," Bryan explained. "It's hard to be confident in yourself and your game at a young age. Having played and kicked for so many years, I really grew into that mentality." Kicking was not always Bryan's first passion or position, but it came to him through time, along with the required skill. The California native's first sport was soccer as a youngster, so his form translated well from the soccer to football field. Bryan played many positions in football over his career so far, includ- ing starting at linebacker for Sierra Canyon during his time there. Notre Dame has a knack for picking up spe- cial teams assets who are athletic, and Bryan fits that mold perfectly. "The fact that I played linebacker for my high school is something I think a lot of people don't know," Bryan said with a laugh. Notre Dame had to work to earn Bryan's pledge, flipping him from Colorado, but his athleticism and kicking ability jump off the page. He may have to wait his turn to play for the Irish, but thanks to his versatile background Bryan will be prepared to face any pressure-packed situation he encounters in South Bend. ✦ JOSH BRYAN KICKER 6-0 · 185 SIERRA CANYON H.S. VALENCIA, CALIF. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Rivals ✪ ✪ — — — ESPN ✪ ✪ ✪ — 6 90 247S ✪ ✪ — 9 307 STATISTICS • Played linebacker and recorded 172 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, two interceptions and two passes de- fended during his career. • Totaled 101 touchbacks on 246 kickoffs, and went 120 of 133 (90.2 percent) on extra points and 22 of 38 (57.9 percent) on field goals, with a long of 47. • Had 54 punts for an average of 37.3 per attempt. NOTABLE • Born on Sept. 9, 2002. • Invited to the later-cancelled Polynesian Bowl. • 2020 Preseason California All-State high school first-team kicker. • No. 1-rated kicker in the 2021 class and first- ever "six-star" per Chris Sailer Kicking. • 2020 Vegas XXXV All-American Bowl on NBC Kicking & Punting Finalist. • 2019 California Summer Camp Field Goal champion. • 2018 Underclassmen Invitational Overall Field Goal champion. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Nov. 17, 2020. • Was originally committed to Colorado, but kept in contact with Notre Dame in hopes that a spot would open up. • Took a self-guided tour of Notre Dame's cam- pus in late August. • Also held scholarship offers from Air Force, Army and Navy. • Recruited by special teams coordinator Brian Polian. 2021 PROJECTION • With Jonathan Doerer expected to return for the 2021 season, Bryan can redshirt before taking the reins as the team's starting kicker in 2022. THEY SAID IT Professional kicking coach Chris Sailer: "Josh is simply a phenomenal high school kicking pros- pect. He's a great athlete with big-time college potential. He hits a pure ball on field goals off the ground. He gets big-time lift on his ball and has a 60-plus-yard range. His kickoffs are excel- lent, D1 ready. He drives the ball deep in the end zone with 4.0-plus hang time. He's also a capable punter. "He is a major competitor who thrives under pressure. Josh continues to prove he is the best kicker in America in the class of 2021. I look for- ward to seeing what the future holds. He's a fine young man who is always a pleasure to work with — one of the hardest workers out there. Josh is a scholarship pick without a doubt." Josh Bryan Is Much More Than Just A Kicker The 6-0, 185-pound Bryan also played linebacker and recorded 172 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, 21 quarterback hurries and two interceptions during his high school career. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS SAILER KICKING