Joseph Mansour K 2010 (UK commit)

[trueUKgamer]

So says the La Grange News:

Kentucky is getting another LaGrange High football player.

Joseph Mansour, a senior kicker for the Grangers, has verbally committed to play football for the Wildcats.

He’s the latest in a growing line of Grangers who have gone to Kentucky, including incoming freshmen Qua Huzzie and Tristian  Johnson.

Kentucky is getting an all-state kicker with tremendous range, as evidenced by the 55-yard game-winning field goal he made against Troup last season.

As a sophomore, Mansour made four field goals of at least 46 yards.

Mansour also averaged 41 yards per punt, and he routinely boomed kickoffs into the end zone.

“He can do it all,” LaGrange High head coach Steve Pardue said. “He can kick off, punt, make long field goals. And he’ll become more and more consistent.”

LINK (http://www.lagrangenews.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Mansour+going+to+Kentucky%20&id=2865559-Mansour+going+to+Kentucky&instance=secondary_sports_left_column)

This kid is a beast. i will try to get some video on him. Made a 55 yard field goal to win a game.....IN HIS JUNIOR SEASON!

[WildcatRick]

http://www.lagrangefootball.com/images/2008%20pics/2008%20Singles/thumbnails/DSC_0175.jpg (http://www.lagrangefootball.com/images/2008%20pics/2008%20Singles/pages/DSC_0175.htm)
http://www.lagrangefootball.com/images/2008%20pics/2008%20Awards/thumbnails/IMG_7042.jpg (http://www.lagrangefootball.com/images/2008%20pics/2008%20Awards/pages/IMG_7042.htm)

KICKING
Joe Mansour:
PAT’s – 32/37
FG – 6/11 (25,46,26,26,28,55)

KICK-OFFS IN ENDZONE
Joe Mansour:
46/59 – 78%

PUNTING
Joe Mansour:
54 punts for 2,219 yards 41.0 yards avg

[The Hack]

Wow and wow!!

Those numbers are great for a high school junior. Looks like he has the frame to add some weight and strength.

Thank You La Grange, Georgia!

I will someday visit La Grange, and maybe go to a game there.

[RV]

After watching this kid in person last year, we came away impressed. Glad we were able to get him.

[Matt Dillon]

First Drew Basil and now Mansour, Isn't it unusual to offer scholarships to two kickers from the same class?

[Gunsmoke]

It was probably first come first serve.

[gerntz]

RV, at 6-3, he seems more of a punter & KO's than PK long-term IMO, ala Masthay. PK's are generally been under 6' tall, I presume because of better accuracy. Thoughts?

[wildcatdon]

I believe Basil has committed to Ohio State..

[RV]

RV, at 6-3, he seems more of a punter & KO's than PK long-term IMO, ala Masthay. PK's are generally been under 6' tall, I presume because of better accuracy. Thoughts?

This kid can do it all. Hopefully his talent will translate to the collegiate level.

[Copland]

I feel like it is easier for a kicker to transfer to the college game over most positions. I'm not saying it's easy, just easier. All you really need is to get used to having a slightly smaller area to kick into, if he ends up being the PK. If he doesn't, he just needs to get used to having bigger guys come after him then before.

Anyway, this kids stats have me feeling like he may be another Masthay for us.

[RV]

I feel like it is easier for a kicker to transfer to the college game over most positions. I'm not saying it's easy, just easier. All you really need is to get used to having a slightly smaller area to kick into, if he ends up being the PK. If he doesn't, he just needs to get used to having bigger guys come after him then before.

Anyway, this kids stats have me feeling like he may be another Masthay for us.

The big thing (one that many can't overcome) is having to placekick off the ground in college. You have a tee in HS for that but none in college. Even the kickoff tee in college is shorter. Tough, tough position to project. That's why most are walkons.

[lighthouse]

The big thing (one that many can't overcome) is having to placekick off the ground in college. You have a tee in HS for that but none in college. Even the kickoff tee in college is shorter. Tough, tough position to project. That's why most are walkons.

So true RV, but we've been fortunate to have a few really good ones. Here's hoping this young man makes the transistion.

[trueUKgamer]

It is hard to project PK from HS to college because of the tee. Kickoffs also, but punting is the same save for some technique changes. You still have to long snap the ball, then you have to kick it, then you have to not get hurt. (the last one is the most important). I think he will be a good kicker or a great punter and could if need be do both a a little bit ie an injury. You could say the same for Ryan Tydlacka. We will have a very versitale combe of punter and kicker. And for the "We don't give schoralships to kicker/punters" out there, this kid desevres one. Plus he had an OFFER from florida. Not too bad i think.

[poodoo]

The big thing (one that many can't overcome) is having to placekick off the ground in college. You have a tee in HS for that but none in college. Even the kickoff tee in college is shorter. Tough, tough position to project. That's why most are walkons.

In my opinion, it would surely be good if they were to change that for high school kicking. Then more kickers would likely be granted college scholarships.

Most of all, a BIG BLUE WELCOME goes out to Mr. Mansour (along with some thanks to Joker, Wesley Woodyard, Coach :icon_biggrin: DeMoreo Ford, etc.). :)

[Wildcat97]

RV, at 6-3, he seems more of a punter & KO's than PK long-term IMO, ala Masthay. PK's are generally been under 6' tall, I presume because of better accuracy. Thoughts?

it is actually the size of the kid's foot that can make the biggest difference. Shorter kids tend to have shorter feet. This translates to cleaning the ball off the ground much easier, which helps to keep a consistant stroke (more trainable, with less variation in performance).

And as to an easier transition...well, as everyone else plays on the same field for the most part, kickers face more changes in their "area" of expertise. The kickers get more narrow goal posts, kicking off the ground FGs & PATs, longer KOs (KO tee height can be same as HS if choose to be, but not recommended due to the practice of kicking from ground for every other kick. Again, consistancy).

Side note - We all get hit by larger/faster/stronger people moving from HS to college.

I agree he might be more a P than a PK, looking at the stats. I'd prefer a higher % on PATs & FGs, but I do like the power. He will gain some weight (or just muscle) I would suspect, but as another mentioned, I am seeing him more as a punter.

PLUS, he is a Granger!!!

(my edit) Welcome to the Wildcats!

[jwb]

RV, at 6-3, he seems more of a punter & KO's than PK long-term IMO, ala Masthay. PK's are generally been under 6' tall, I presume because of better accuracy. Thoughts?

To me the thing to look for in a kicker is mental toughness and that is really hard to know because theyre aren't many High school games where they kick in front of 70,000. Game winning kicks are a good sign though and it looks like Mansour has at least one of those under his belt. Kickers need to have thick skin and a short memory. Here is to hoping Mr. Mansour has a great 4 years. Welcome to THE NATION!!

[jrstrother]

Joseph Mansour kicked a 59 yard field goal just before the half. GHSFHA only shows two that are longer in Georgia High School history! (http://ghsfha.com/records.php?gRecID=8)

http://www.lagrangefootball.com/videos/2009/59yardkick.wmv

[WildcatRick]

5m39yytmoWk&feature=player_embedded

[The Old School JPS]

84% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. FGs of 59, 56 and 52 yards last year. Could be a great one.

Do kickers go to any camps where they are assessed the way other players are, but using collegiate rules instead of HS tees, etc.?

[DonnieKat]

And runs a 4.4....holy cow.

[Trueblujr]

It will be interesting to see how the kicking game progresses, mainly because while Ortmeyer (sp) coached the special teams, I believe Brooks himself coached the kickers and punters.

[Wildcat97]

84% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. FGs of 59, 56 and 52 yards last year. Could be a great one.

Do kickers go to any camps where they are assessed the way other players are, but using collegiate rules instead of HS tees, etc.?

There are camps available to train (w/ some evaluation) and others like the Nike Camp (invite only I believe) which is more about getting your name on the map nationally. This type of camp is more a skills competition rather than skill development. Some of it to my knowledge is practice in a college setting, but much is based on their current status as a HS player. They are most helpful in opening up recruiting for the best HS kickers/punters as they grade the kids, then send to/allow usage by schools the grading stats. Can really make a name for some and improve stock.

They also participate in "tryouts" at the camps given on campuses where the interaction between the current coaches and the players are under strict NCAA guidelines, but it is a viewing process for the college guys and much like a visit for the HSer.

From my own perspective, I am more satisfied w/ a very accurate kicker over a long-ball kicker if I could only choose one. IMO though, one of each should be on scholly to make for the best combo. The special teams is too important to minimize if considering how many of the non-specialized guys carried do not see the field during a game.

Hope this answered something for you...lol.

[The Old School JPS]

A kicker who can consistently produce touchbacks can be a huge boost to a team. I think we have two good ones now.

[RV]

84% of his kickoffs were touchbacks. FGs of 59, 56 and 52 yards last year. Could be a great one.

Do kickers go to any camps where they are assessed the way other players are, but using collegiate rules instead of HS tees, etc.?

Don't know for sure but I'm fairly certain he would have attended summer camp at UK.