Note: I explained the premise of this series in Part 1 along with my methodology of picking players.

Can I let you in on a secret? I really, REALLY like kickers and punters. There is something about how they have such control over an oblong-shaped ball when they kick that is so cool to me. Whether it is downing a punt inside the 10-yard line or executing a perfect pooch kickoff that limits a big return, I am certainly tuning in during the special teams portions of games. 

That is why the kickers and punters are last in this 99 overall series. It is not because they are a part of a forgotten part of the game. Rather, I saved the best for last. 

Roberto Aguayo, K (NCAA 16)

A kicker who was so good he was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Roberto Aguayo was everything and more for a school cursed with various forms of “wide right” field goal attempts. Focusing on his freshman and sophomore years, which would have impacted his 99 overall rating chances, he was perfect on extra points (149-149) and converted 92.3% of his field goal attempts. He won the Lou Groza Award after his freshman season as he helped Florida State win the national title. 

Zane Gonzalez, K (NCAA 17)

Zane Gonzalez was impactful the moment he stepped on Arizona State’s campus. He set a school freshman record for points by a kicker with 138, and his 25 made field goals tied an NCAA record for freshmen. After a good sophomore year, he was a perfect 52-52 on extra points as a junior and broke Luis Zendejas’ school scoring record. His consistency and record-breaking status would have bestowed him a 99 overall rating. 

Daniel Carlson, K (NCAA 18)

With one of the bigger legs on this list, Daniel Carlson was almost automatic from any distance. After kicking and punting his freshman year (with a 62-yard punt as well), he continued bombing away his sophomore year. He made four field goals of at least 51 yards and ranked fifth in the nation in touchback percentage on kickoffs. His junior year continued his long distance reign. He placed second in the country with a 79.2 touchback percentage and broke Auburn’s single-season scoring record. He also scored a 20-yard touchdown run on a fake, showing he was a true athlete. 

Austin Seibert, K/P (NCAA 19)

While Carlson moonlit as a punter for a season, Austin Seibert held down the fort for Oklahoma at both positions, as well as kickoff specialist, for four seasons at a high level. In his first three seasons, he only missed four extra points on 227 attempts and was a certain three points from inside 50 yards. Seibert lacked the power, but his touch was evident as he boomed 56 punts inside the 20-yard line. 

Rodrigo Blankenship, K (NCAA 20)

The bespectacled boomer from Georgia, Rodrigo Blankenship was a fan favorite. But he wasn’t just a near-sighted show stopper. He was within range as soon as he stepped off the bus. His 55-yard field goal at the end of the half against Oklahoma in the 2017 College Football Playoff Semifinal helped spark a Bulldogs comeback. He recorded an impressive 78% touchback percentage in his sophomore and junior seasons combined. Along with sending kicks into orbit, he was also consistent, making 82.8% of his field goal attempts his first three seasons. Blankenship’s performance on the field along with a cult following would have made him a popular 99 overall choice.  

Braden Mann, P (NCAA 20)

In his first two seasons at Texas A&M, Braden Mann flashed leg potential as the primary kickoff specialist. When given the punting reigns in 2018, he let it rip. He set a single-game NCAA record with a 60.8 yard average on punts against Alabama. Against Clemson, he kicked punts of 69 and 73 yards. His 50.98 yards per punt average set a single season record. Not just a deep threat, Mann also downed 19 punts inside the 20. While no one ever punts in a video game, letting one loose once in a while with Mann would have been entertaining. 

Cade York, K (NCAA 22)

I could rattle off stats to support Cade York’s status as a hypothetical 99 overall…

But I think this field goal in the infamous “LS-Shoe Game” should be evidence enough.