A 4-Star Place Kicker?!? Welcome to UT, Palardy!

by David Hooper on Jul 2, 2009 7:44 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Normally, I'd put news of a new recruit on the sidebar, but a 4-star kicker is something you don't see every year. Mike Palardy of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida just gave his nod to the Vols as his home for 2010.

There's not a whole lot to say other than wow, but special note must be made of Eddie Gran. Gran is the coach who recruits Florida and is the special teams coach (in addition to running backs). I've been really, really impressed with Gran as a person off the field; his on-the-job performance is leaving no doubt as to how special he can be for the Vols.

Here's some terrific place-kicker eye candy for your enjoyment. Just imagine this guy in one of those sweet new uniforms you're dreaming up for the RTT Create Your Own UT Uniform Contest.

Competin' for Kickers!

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A 6'2" kicker with a nine minute highlight reel?

I’m sold.

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Jul 2, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

He punts, place kicks, and kicks field goals

W00t.

by rblakeh on Jul 2, 2009 7:53 PM EDT reply actions

You know,

it’s not everyday you get a place kicker to commit, your average star ranking on Scout increases (fwiw), and you don’t immediately cringe about the talent level of the rest of your recruits.

by David Hooper on Jul 2, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Scout has him ranked as the #1 kicker in the country

Let’s change his name to Colquitt and see if he can kick it away from Brandon James.

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Jul 2, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

You know, that was one of my first thoughts when I heard the news.

(The kicking away from James part.)

by David Hooper on Jul 2, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Wonder...

What your boy BBrown has to say about him? ;-)

Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!

by VolBrian on Jul 2, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Sweet!

Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!

by VolBrian on Jul 2, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Peter_Griffin called him a BUST

Sorry, that’s piling on.

by memphispete on Jul 2, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

Then BBrown will have to love this guy. :-D

by David Hooper on Jul 2, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Ooooh, and a lefty!

I still think Dustin Colquitt leads college and NFL in muffed punts b/c he’s left-footed.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Jul 3, 2009 7:35 AM EDT reply actions

I always wonder how much the reversed spin affects things.

I throw a frisbee enough to be reasonably proficient, and I’ve noticed that when I throw left-handed, people are far more prone to have it bounce out of their hands. (That’s of the times that my lefty throws are actually on-target. Usually it’s ok, but once in a while … oy.) It might be a bigger deal than we think.

by David Hooper on Jul 3, 2009 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

heh

Hippie… ;-)

Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!

by VolBrian on Jul 3, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Btw

This:

I always wonder how much the reversed spin affects things

Sounds like a perfect thesis project for a physics student. I bet they could get some serious access to the football program with that subject. Lefty vs. Righty QB’s and K/P’s….

Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!

by VolBrian on Jul 3, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions