RealFootball365 reports today that walk-on Jimmy Maners has been picked as the starting punter this year over Cole Chason. They also report that his release time has improved dramatically over last season.

The release-time thing I have read before. Nowhere else, yet, have I seen that Maners was named the starter. Have you? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Various reports have also said that freshman Richard Jackson has been a non-factor due to some back problems. Although he is apparently competing for kick-off duties.

In a slightly related note, Mickey Plyler noted in his blog on Wednesday that special teams should be greatly improved. CFN ranked the unit 83rd in the country. I would buy that after last season, but with Jad Dean back, a better and more refined stable of returners, and hopefully one guy who can punt the dang ball, and our special teams could be special this year — in a good way.

UPDATE (8/26/06): RF365 was directly contradicted today by the man in the know. Will Vandervort, having spoken with CTB reports, “Bowden plans on naming the starting punter after he watches the two during pre-game warm-ups.” Adds Bowden about the possibility of fans being surprised, “They’re use to seeing number thirty, now they might see whatever (Maners’) number is.” Just so you know, ClemsonTigers.com lists Maner‘s number as 49.

And as a Saturday morning FYI, you should know that Maners, previously a quarterback turned down football scholarship from Wofford so that he could try to walk on as Clemson’s punter.

Posted on Friday, August 25th, 2006 at 7:12 am by Broken Gnome

Filed under Football.

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