Know Your Wildcat: Landon Foster

During the slow and insipid summer of 2008, former KSR wordsmith Evan Hilbert profiled each and every member of the University of Kentucky football team. Though his knowledge was sparse and his research was far from thorough, Evan’s short and insufficient player profiles were an integral part of Kentucky’s success that season. UK finished with seven wins, including the opener at Louisville and a 25-19 victory in the Liberty Bowl. Kentucky hasn’t won a bowl game since. Let’s bring back that magic… Previous profiles: Patrick Towles, Kory Brown, Tyler Robinson, Donte Rumph, Demarco Robinson, Raymond Sanders, Mister Cobble, and Maxwell Smith.   #9 LANDON FOSTER Vitals -- Height: 6'1" -- Weight: 208 lbs. -- Class: Sophomore -- Experience: 1L -- Position: Punter -- Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee -- High School: Independence -- Twitter: @iPuntFootballs9 Class of 2012 High School Ranking -- Rivals.com: -- Scout.com: #8 Kicker, -- 247Sports.com: #12 Kicker, #40 in Tenn. How He Got Here The Tennessee all-state superstar Punter/Kicker had the chance to follow in his father Cliff's footsteps, by playing football for the University of Tennessee. Luckily, Foster is much smarter than his father, spurning Rocky Top (and the Toppers of WKU) for the Blue and White. Foster brings credentials worthy of admission into #PunterU: he was named his high school team's MVP (odd for a specialist), while earning the honor of being named to the state's "Dream Team" as the best Punter in Tennessee. Freshman Season, 2012 Foster began the season with high expectations. Not only was he a Freshman, he was the only Punter on the depth chart on an SEC team that punted the ball often ALL of the time. Foster not only exceeded Punter U expectations, he had the best freshman season EVER at UK. His 42.9 average earned him a spot in the UK record books, as well as being named Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American. Rarely do you see fans applaud when the Punt team trots onto the field on the 4th down, but when he stepped on the field last season he was the best player in blue and white. Something You Didn't Know About Him As seen above, Mr. Foster possesses one of the best boots in the game, but that isn't his only trick. Landon is also carrying a cannon (sort of). After a Spring Practice, the collegiate punter challenged DLine Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh's 8th grade-son, Legend to a throwing competition. Legend is proud pocket passer that couldn't let a measly Punter defeat him, but Foster wasn't phased, screaming, "Punter's got throws BABY!" as I left the facility. Something smells like the unofficial 6th string QB may pull off a nice fake down the road... Landon Foster (right) and other teammates visited Kelly Melton (as in 'Kickin it 4 Kelly) and other kids at Indian Summer Camp last week. Something We Made Up About Him When Landon was 10 years old, he was selected to participate in a "Punt, Pass, and Kick" competition during halftime of the Tennessee Titans game. Needing to make a field goal after covering 100 yards with a punt and pass, Landon made it through the uprights on his first punt. The Titans accused him of using PEDs, keeping him from winning the ultimate prize of lifetime subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club. Unfair NFL Comparison Ray Guy, Oakland Raiders Punter that perpetually invented the stat 'hang time' Outlook for 2013 The sky is the limit for Landon Foster. Foster has already proved that he can thrive amidst adversity, pulling off the best year possible when being asked to perform more often than any other should. While the Big Blue Nation is keeping their fingers crossed that he will not be used as much, he will still be an invaluable weapon for the team. The term "weapon" is rarely applied to a Punter, however Foster has the ability to change the field for a team. This defense can use every advantage they can this year, with Foster's extra 15 yards deciding the difference between a Touchdown or a Field Goal. Foster is an outgoing person on and off the field (he deserves an award for "Best UK Twitter Follow") and with a year under his belt, Foster is looking to become a veteran leader of the Special Teams Unit. At Punter U, expectations are always high, expect Landon to meet them.