Notre Dame adds former Penn punter Ben Krimm as walk-on grad transfer
Brian Mason already views sophomore-to-be Bryce McFerson as Notre Dame’s starting punter in 2023. That apparently hasn’t stopped the Notre Dame special teams coordinator from creating a competition and adding depth, though.
Penn punter Ben Krimm has committed to Notre Dame as a graduate transfer, he announced Sunday. He’s a preferred walk-on with two years of eligibility left and will enroll in classes this summer. His decision comes at the end of a visit to campus.
Krimm was a first-team All-Ivy League selection in 2022. He averaged 41.6 yards on 44 punts this season, with a long of 60 yards. He kicked 11 that traveled at least 50 yards, had 12 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and 6 punts go for touchbacks. Opponents averaged 5.2 yards on 13 returns and fair caught 11 of his punts. Krimm was also Penn’s punter in 2021, averaging 37.0 yards per kick, and has served as the Quakers’ holder on field goals.
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By adding Krimm, Notre Dame has pulled an Ivy League punter out of the transfer portal for the second straight offseason. Last year’s portal import, Harvard grad transfer Jon Sot, beat out McFerson for the job and is averaging 43.2 yards per punt. Sot is also the holder, which creates a potential opening for Krimm to help in 2023 even if he’s not the primary punter.
Krimm will be a second-generation Notre Dame football player. His uncle John played defensive back for the Irish from 1978-81 and was a third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1982. He’s a Columbus, Ohio native and originally chose Penn in January 2019 over Division I offers from Colgate, Navy, Dayton, Butler and Morehead State.
As it stands, Krimm will need an impressive showing in preseason camp to oust McFerson from the punter job by next fall. McFerson was originally going to handle kickoffs this season, but a groin injury suffered shortly before the season opener held him out of the first few games. He has only focused on punting since he returned to full health, leaving kickoffs to replacement Zac Yoakam.
“He’s going to be the starting punter next year,” Mason said Dec. 11. “He has done an unbelievable job as the year has gone on, especially at the end of the year. He keeps getting momentum and [becoming] more consistent. He has an unbelievable leg. We expect him to be the starting punter and feel very confident with him as the starting punter. Really excited for his future and certainly him being healthy next year.”
Krimm is the second transfer specialist to commit to Notre Dame this month. South Florida grad transfer kicker Spencer Shrader announced Tuesday he will spend his final season of eligibility with the Irish.
