Max Duffy (UK Athletics Photo)
Max Duffy’s collegiate career ended in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl with him somehow avoiding getting a punt blocked when it looked like he had no chance to avoid the North Carolina State rush. He also put two punts inside the 20-yard line. Being named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Teamwas a fitting end to a career that has been nothing short of remarkable.
In 33 career games, Duffy punted 146 times and averaged 46.2 yards per kick. He put 67 punts inside the 20-yard line with only seven touchbacks. He had 49 punts of 50 yards or more and did not have a kick blocked in three years. He won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter in 2019 when he averaged 48.1 yards per punt. This year he averaged 45.8 yards per attempt.
“I think winning the Ray Guy Award a year ago really gave him a lot of recognition that he deserved. That’s a major award, the biggest award he could win for himself, along with being an All-American, so I think it’s been a really good experience for all of us,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
“Max and I have a really good relationship. I think he thoroughly enjoyed his time here and I’m grateful for him, the job that he did for us. We’re going to miss him but he did a good job helping us recruit another Aussie and hopefully we’ll keep that tradition going.”
Stoops said avoiding the block in his final game was a “big-time play” by the All-American punter.
“It just goes to show you how savvy he is and how talented he is. Definitely we’re grateful for his background of Aussie football right there on that play because to have the confidence in that to elude the rush and then punt it the way he did,” Stoops said.
“He’s just a talented guy. He really is. He’s got more tricks up his sleeve too. I wish we had him for more years, but we’re grateful for him bringing in another Aussie (Wilson Berry).”
Duffy’s future is a bit unknown. He’s downplayed his chances to kick in the NFL where hang time is valued more than accuracy and distance because of coverage rules.
New Kentucky special teams coach Jemal Singleton has been in the NFL the last five years and involved in various ways with special teams. He thinks Duffy could have a chance to make a NFL roster.
“That part is entirely different and for some guys coming out of college, they have to make that adjustment. The end of the day, though, it’s can you kick the ball? What is the type of leg? Placement is so huge in the NFL,” Singleton said.
“At the end of the day, how he hits that ball when he goes through the combine, how that’s gonna look this year, will really determine that. Whether he’s Aussie or not Aussie? There’s Aussie punters in the NFL. From what I’ve seen, he’s an athlete, and athletes make it as punters in the NFL.”
