The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546417
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 ■ 33 season means making a quality first im- pression as he fills the shoes of a special- ist who ranks third in program history with a 42.9-yard career punting average. Waller approaches his job with im- mense pride, but he also wants to maintain a low profile. His goal is to accomplish his objective on any given punt, flipping the field whenever possible, then getting out of the way so the defense can get a stop. "I've always been taught, as a special- ist, you don't want your name to be in the news," Waller said after a recent fall camp practice. "Your name's not usu- ally in the news until something goes bad. The whole point of being a punter, kicker or long snapper is to do your job." Waller's mindset is the same one he brought to his work last year with the Red Wolves. He was a busy specialist, amass- ing the third-most attempts of anyone in the Sun Belt Conference (59) during the 2025 season. Making the most of those opportunities, Waller averaged 41.3 yards per punt and placed 19 of his attempts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Waller looks back with satisfaction on his first season as a collegiate starter. He was motivated to put together a quality performance in the hope that he would be able to return to the Power Four level after redshirting as a freshman at SMU in 2024. "I proved I belong anywhere," Waller said. "Punting the ball anywhere is punt- ing the ball. You can do it in any stadium." Waller, who forced 21 fair catches last season, is looking to build on the success he found at Arkansas State. NC State has a long lineage of quality punters, including future NFL special- ists AJ Cole III and Trenton Gill, and Waller hopes to join that list by the time he departs Raleigh. To reach those heights, Waller has focused on the mechanics of the punt- ing process. As he puts it, there's a lot more to the discipline than just striking the ball. He's meticulous about his drill work, perfecting the catch from senior long snapper Aiden Arias and the drop from his torso down to the leather of his kicking cleat. All of it has to be in sync if it's going to be executed well. That's where his ap- proach to punting — lacking the quirki- ness or "free spirit" that his predecessor had — comes into play on a daily basis. "You have to have purpose in every- thing you do," Waller said. 'All I've Ever Wanted' Waller has been able to steadily im- prove at his craft, and his growth has made him more confident than ever. It doesn't hurt that he's back in the ACC for his second season as a colle- giate starter after proving himself at the Group of Five level. Waller, who averaged 46.7 yards on 7 attempts in NC State's opener against Virginia, is the first left-footed punter that Doeren has coached. The way the ball leaves his foot is different, and his kicks are harder to field than those of right-footed specialists, who are much more common. Doeren said he expects the differences to "create a challenge" for opposing returners. Everyone around the Murphy Center hopes that's the case. And with Waller bringing a confident, determined ap- proach to practice every day, there's no reason to believe he can't become the next true weapon of the Wolfpack's kicking units. Since he arrived at NC State in Janu- ary, each day has been a dream come true. Waller is in a role that he's worked toward his entire life, and with hopes of competing for an ACC championship this fall, the punter will be a critical asset for the Wolfpack to lean on. He's more than prepared for the mo- ment. "I'm just taking it all in, taking it one day at a time," Waller said. "I've embraced it. I know I'm ready for this situation. This is all I've ever wanted. I'm ready." ■ " I've always been taught, as a specialist, you don't want your name to be in the news. Your name's not usually in the news until something goes bad. The whole point of being a punter, kicker or long snapper is to do your job. ." Waller Before transferring to NC State in January, Waller averaged 41.3 yards on 59 punting attempts during his lone season at Arkansas State. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS