Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Georgia punter Jake Camarda in 2022 NFL Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are banking on Georgia product Jake Camarda to come in and bolster their special teams unit. After playing a pivotal role throughout his time in Athens, the former Bulldogs punter will be expected to do the same in his NFL career. That’s why the Buccaneers took him off the board early in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday, picking him No. 133 overall.
Over his four seasons with the Bulldogs, Camarda was essential to the Georgia special teams unit. Last season, Camarda realized his dream of bringing a championship to Georgia, helping to end a drought that spanned over 40 years when the Bulldogs defeated Alabama in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Additionally, Camarda helped Georgia play complimentary football in their title-securing victory, punting five times for 223 yards against the Crimson Tide.
Most importantly to the Buccaneers, Camarda possess talent that makes an intriguing punting prospect in the NFL. His consistency and experience with the Bulldogs make him an enticing possibility at a position with a high turnover rate.
A former three-star recruit in the class of 2018, Camarda was the No. 1 punter in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The former Georgia star played his high school football at Norcross in Norcross, Georgia. Additionally, Camarda was the No. 127 ranked recruit in Georgia coming out of high school, and the No. 1222 overall recruit in the nation, according to On3’s 2018 Consensus Top Football Recruits.
What NFL draft analysts are saying about Jake Camarda
Furthermore, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com broke down what Jake Camarda can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the punter’s draft profile. The analyst is enamored with the Georgia product’s consistency and kick-off ability, but believes Carmada needs to improve his average hang-time, among other things.
“Highly decorated four-year punter with kickoff ability to boot,” wrote Zierlein. “Camarda has NFL operation time and leg strength but was a little inconsistent hitting the football in 2021. He’s an accurate directional punter with touch but hasn’t learned to control nose-down punts, which has led to touchbacks after the bounce.
“He’s no lock for a spot but should be in contention to earn a job within the first two years.”