Now, Ratke is training to play in the NFL 3-4 days a week. Vinatieri had a fruitful career with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, winning four Super Bowls and kicking the game-winning field goal in the, Editors Perspective: Covering JMU sports in 2021, Opinion | Top 10 JMU sports moments of 2021, JMU's season comes to a close after falling to NDSU 20-14, JMU and NDSU fans team up to support local charities, JMU and NDSU tailgating fun in Fargo, North Dakota. This year has been a whirlwind of events for JMU sports. Find draft sleepers, draft stars, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued. Ratke knows his other knock: He hasn't attempted many long in-game field goals, and he wasn't the primary kickoff specialist at JMU except for in 2017, when Gray went down. 13-for-15 FG, 49-for-50 XP. Nick Saban turns assistants into head coaches and in Kirby Smart, a title challenger. In the pandemic-delayed 2020 season played in the spring Ratke made all 14 of his field goals. Given his height and recent performance, hes drawn interest from NFL scouts. 3. Season wrap-up: College football cant ruin the magic of college football, no matter how hard it tries. Ethan Ratke talks with Dave Thomas. After the kick, Ratke said, classmates and friends told him no college moment would be better. Then came the first test in his new cleats: A 46-yard game-winning field goal attempt, with JMUs 24-game win streak and the FCS semifinals on the line. More than that, here is the list of kickers in. There was an error processing your request. Ratke, who is preparing for his sixth season with the Dukes, has already put together a storied career. #NFLDraft. In general, specialists are rarely selected in the NFL draft. He was an absolutely insane 15-of-19 from 50+ in his time there, and gets excellent height on his kicks to avoid the getting blocked. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) Ethan Ratke kicked a school-record six field goals and set two NCAA records in James Madison's 32-22 victory over William & Mary. AP File Staff writer Will Moran breaks down what to expect from the 2-2 Bobcats during what looks to be a rainy Family Weekend at Bridgeforth Stadium on Saturday. The Dukes (9-1, 6-1 CAA), headed to the FBS, track toward their last CAA title. Fifty-two is more than someone has seen for me in the game, but most guys are going in and going back to 60 in their pro day, like the guys who were getting signed or taken to a minicamp.. You have permission to edit this article. Ratkes experience on kickoffs was limited over his career, but he was successful as JMUs kickoff specialist. Bennett and Jack break down what to expect out of MBB & WBB as they head down the stretch. Here are some of the highlights and the Fargodome before the game. Ratke also earned the 2021 Fred Mitchell Award, which is given to the best kicker at the FCS, Division II and Division III levels. Historically holding over 98K, Built with Forward & Backward Compatibility. 4-for-6 from 40-49 yards, 5-for-7 from 50+, long of 56. . We were in position to really dominate, and they made a few plays in the second half. He said hes kicking 3-4 times a week. JMU downed Texas State 40-13 on Family Weekend to move to 4-0 (2-0 Sun Belt) in its first year in the FBS. The jump between the FCS and the NFL is massive, but the expectation isnt really that Johnson become a starter. Even though his longest field goal was only 51, he showed at the Kohls Pro Combine an ability to hit from beyond 60, and kick out of the back of the end zone with ease. You have permission to edit this article. Ratke had kicks of 30, 37 and 47 yards but the Dukes trailed 10-9 at the half. More than that, here is the list of kickers in both FCS and FBS history with more field goals than the 100 Ratke has booted over the course of his career: Thats right, no one. High 67F. All rights reserved. But Ratke couldnt attempt a field goal longer than 52 yards because of rain, JMU moved its drills to a half-football-field indoor facility. Ethan Ratke 27 Yd Field Goal: 2nd Quarter: 11:29: Richmond field goal. It's also, We've ranked 3000 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft! He finished the year 20-for-23, one of the best marks in the nation, while being named a 3rd Team All-American and Lou Groza award semifinalist. JMU has a history of offensive linemen finding success in the NFL, and if Fornadel can stay healthy, hell have chances to make practice squads and rosters in the coming years. This ends the programs , Matthew Fraase earned the nickname the Unbiased Bison Admin because, he said, his friends , Before JMU football took on NDSU, the tailgating scene was cold and festive. NEWARK, Del. Sep 17, 2021 Ethan Ratke, who sealed James Madison's 31-28 win over Weber State in the FCS playoffs in 2017 with a 46-yard field goal with no time remaining, is still the starting kicker for. The No. According to an article published by Zach Miller on. And yet heres Ratke, a fifth-year senior, on his status. Distance is the question Ratke needs to answer. NEWARK, Del. Bench press isnt everything, though, and there are likely valid questions about whether Greenes production at the FCS level could translate in some capacity to the NFL. Having never made a kick of 50 yards or more, Ratke lacks the range that other NFL prospects possess, but he makes up for it with his consistency. 10 Stony Brook in JMUs first matchup in the 2017 FCS playoffs. They have all been there enough, they have all done it enough, to the point that each made kick just furthers football history. Ethan Ratke, James Madison - Round Grade: PFA 8. Opinion | Who should win the 2022 NFL Awards? His career long is 48 yards but he says he spent time in the offseason working to add distance to. Now, Ratke, nine months removed from his JMU playing days, 542 points and 101 made field goals later, is looking for more. OKelly said he wouldnt be surprised if Ratkes shot comes. He. See the impact by Zip code. Sports Editor Madison Hricik recaps the rainy, sloppy Dukes win. For more football coverage, follow the sports desk on Twitter @TheBreezeSports. JMU led 13-0 at halftime behind the passing of sixth-year senior quarterback Cole Johnson (334 yards, along with 46 rushing yards) and Ratkes first two FGs. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. Ryan Coe had a 51-yard field goal for the Blue Hens and Zach Gwynn found James Collins for a 26-yard touchdown. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight. Cole Johnson hit Solomon. More than that: No college kicker, at any level, has scored more than Ratkes 525 points. Since NFL games average more spectators than FCS games, scouts may have concerns about Ratkes lack of experience in high-pressure environments. NEWARK, Del. Jake Larson 43 Yd Field Goal: 2:38: James Madison field goal . His leg strength is as good as youll ever find from a kicker prospect, include elite hang time on his kickoffs, making him able to lead a phenomenal special teams kickoff coverage unit. You go through the same routine no matter when the kick happens or where youre kicking from. He was unable to replicate that the last two years, but took much tougher kicks than the average player. New Orleans, Washington and Detroit have each used four different kickers. Ratke said he generally doesnt monitor where he is on NCAA career lists, but added, when it gets this big, its hard to avoid. Ratkes most notable kick came in the quarterfinals of the 2017 FCS Playoffs when his 46-yard field goal as time expired gave the Dukes a dramatic win over Weber State at Bridgeforth Stadium. Ratke getting drafted would be a shock, but his accuracy makes him a prime candidate to earn a tryout with a team. When he kicked six yes, six field goals against William & Mary on Nov. 13, he passed Zane Gonzalez, the current kicker for the Carolina Panthers who connected on 96 over his four years at Arizona State. Mike Greene showed why he's one of the top NFL prospects on the @JMUFootball roster during Pro Day on Wedneday. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). James Madison kicker Ethan Ratke is one of the FCS' all-time scorers. The 2023 NFL Combine begins in less than a week, and every year we see a handful of prospects shoot, The 2022 NFL Draft class is unique in its lack of top end talent but ridiculously strong depth. Then, I think ever since that Weber State kick, he really had that I'm a dog mentality, and he was he was a dog.. But theres another, more subtle reason for the Dukes success this year: When they line up for a field goal or an extra point, they make it. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. According to The Football Database, 49 different kickers have played for NFL teams this season. He used to be the most superstitious person in the world, Davis said. There was a problem saving your notification. These kickers often have to compete for the starting job with a veteran kicker or another free-agent signee. Wheres Ratke now? I think I just try to think about the next kick and you know, if I miss in practice, I put it in the back of my mind and focus on the next one, said Ratke. He was recruited to the position at JMU. He ate the same snacks, wore his socks a specific way. JMU, which has not faced another program more often than W&M, is headed to the FBS and the Sun Belt Conference and begins its football transition next season with a non-CAA schedule. Why Movieland says you have to be 17 to attend a movie after 7:30 p.m. Farmville native caught with 42 lbs of cocaine, $862K in drug money gets 17 years, Ashland dairy farm announces Farmview Creamery to help modernize business, Fired RPS employee sues school district, alleges misuse of federal funds, Norment, long among the most powerful in the Capitol, is retiring, Bezos 'ban' may speed up Commanders sale as league meeting looms. Andrew Mevis is a transfer from FCS school Fordham, where he rarely had the opportunity to kick field goals other than in 2019. Former Georgia star Jalen Carter, one of the top prospects in next month's NFL draft, has been charged with reckless driving and racing in conjunction with the crash that killed a teammate and a recruiting staff member. He posted at least a 90% field goal percentage in the past two seasons, including a perfect 14-of-14 spring 2021 campaign. HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - James Madison redshirt senior kicker Ethan Ratke is still working to improve. The left side of his right cleat was lined with openings, starting at his big toe. With all these accolades to his name, Ratke has proven that he should get a chance at the NFL level. The biggest question for Shudak is his untested mental fortitude. Wilson completed 12 of 24 with an interception in the Tribes 24-3 loss at Delaware last Saturday. Even though no more than 3 will get selected in the draft, several more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. He would freak out throughout the game and stuff, so I just tried to play that calming role., With time, Ratke stopped worrying so much before every kick. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Winds light and variable. Hes got the leg speed and consistent mechanics that you look for in a place kicker, with plenty of experience kicking in big games. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We break down the Sun Belt Men's and Women's Tournament and take a look across the world of spring sports. Kickers are typically brought onto NFL rosters during training camp as undrafted free agents. On senior day in 2021, when JMU wore all black, Ratke still sported his white cleats. Eventually it was just like a big hole that was there, and so I felt like a big hole was kind of impacting, catching on the ground when I kicked, and that made me want to switch.. In five seasons at JMU, Ratke made an NCAA record 101 field goals and scored 542 points, the most by any kicker in NCAA history and the second most by any player in FCS history. Cloudy. An FCS scout tweeted after JMUs Pro Day that the Colts and Chargers could be interested in his services. Please subscribe to keep reading. Even more impressively, Ratke is the all-time college career leader in field goals made with 101. His routine in game weeks is the same: After class Thursday evenings, he abandons schoolwork and begins to focus on the game. James Madison kicker Ethan Ratke added a 21-yard field goal as time wound down before halftime to extend the Dukes lead to double digits going into the locker rooms. After the first 30 minutes of JMU vs. Texas State, Sports Editor Grant Johnson shares the good, bad and the ugly of Family Weekend's first half as the Dukes lead, 19-0. All 10 FBS commissioners are unanimous in their support for three proposed rules changes that aim to shorten the length of college football games, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips told ESPN. Ethan Ratke kicked a career-long 46-yard field goal on the final play of the game as defending FCS champion James . Johnson seems like JMUs best bet to have a player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft, thanks in part to a solid showing at JMUs Pro Day. JMU plays Texas State during the Family Weekend game tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Sports Editor Grant Johnson delves into the mindset of head coach Curt Cignetti and the players going it as 22-point favorites. In last years draft, the Cincinnati Bengals used a fifth-round pick to draft Evan Mcpherson out of Florida. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight. Contact Logan Skinner at skinnela@dukes.jmu.edu. JMU won. Log In. His longest made field goal at JMU was the 46-yarder versus Weber State in the FCS quarterfinals. John Parker Romo, Virginia Tech - Round Grade: FA, 15. With just over three minutes left in the 2017 FCS Quarterfinals, JMU was trailing 28-20 with its . I don't want this to be the peak of my career, Ratke recalled telling himself. This, then, is an ode to the operation because Radkes historic run is about the repetition that creates a rhythm that is built on a relationship among three players who have been doing this long enough that they have an understanding of and appreciation for their craft. Ive seen some JMU fans float the idea that an NFL team could use him as a short field-goal kicker, while also rostering someone who handles kickoffs and long field goals. We take our jobs to the utmost seriousness, Miller said. "J-M-U!" JMU, by the end of the 2017 regular season, hadnt lost in 23 outings dating back to the previous September. . If you want a guy whos going to kick a field goal and not miss inside 50 yards, its Ethan Ratke, OKelly said. Ethan Ratke kicked a school-record six field goals and set two NCAA records in James Madison's 32-22 victory over William & Mary on Saturday. JMU swim and dive head coach Dane Pedersen revealed the Dukes 2022-23 schedule Thursday afternoon. Ratke has made just under 84% of his field goal attempts at JMU. The Dukes failed to follow through on some drives, but that gave sixth-year senior Ethan Ratke (Atlee High) the opportunity to kick a JMU-record six field goals each from 23 to 30 yards and established two NCAA records. For the FCS quarterfinals the next week versus Weber State, Ratke exchanged the holed cleats for the same model but a half size down to 8 1/2. Error! I always relate the field goal operation to shooting a free throw, said Davis, the long snapper. Head back to the 2022 NFL Draft Bible Virtual Guide homepage. George Bray. 20-for-26 FG, 57-for-58XP. Only 10 of this years 49 NFL kickers have made all of their extra points this season, five of whom have attempted at least 15 extra points. He has a very strong lower body and really showed up at the Kohls Pro Combine, hitting a 67-yarder to show the lack of deep opportunities in college doesnt define his leg strength. I think they got overlooked purely because we're in a conference where there was no really other good teams. Ratke knows his other knock: He hasnt attempted many long in-game field goals, and he wasnt the primary kickoff specialist at JMU except for in 2017, when Gray went down. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Same for a few of our guys, OKelly said. James Madisons process brings nothing but comfort. We want to be perfect. Dallas Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein played for two different Division II programs University of Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western before he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Ratke got the cleats they had in the back from JMU as a redshirt freshman in 2017. Its almost like a security blanket.. Ive played in rainy games and games where were down and games where were scoring a lot and kicking a whole lot.. VILLANOVA, Pa. D'Angelo Amos returned two punts of more than 80 yards for touchdowns, Ethan Ratke kicked three field goals and James Madison rebounded from a stinging loss with a 37-0 shutout . It was relatively smooth sailing for Ratke at first. Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops says transfer QB Devin Leary, who had season-ending surgery in 2022 for a pectoral injury, is "close to full go" for the Wildcats. Cade York is the rare 3rd year kicker who decided to enter the draft early, and it doesnt surprise me at all. Caleb Shudak, Iowa St - Round Grade: PFA, 10. Coming SoonTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy, Draft Scout is an Independent Contractor, Currently Outsourcing Non-Exclusive Scalable ContentBrian Hitterman, NFL Draft Scout/Draft Scout Database Creator, Contact: brianhitterman@msn.com, - Draft Scout Evolve: Player Rating Changes, - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position. He began the year as the fourth-string kicker, to be fair. Davis became Ratkes snapper in 2018, Miller his holder the following fall. 15-for-18 FG, 39-for-39 XP. When youre playing a good team like that, you have to minimize all the things that can cause you to lose or be detrimental to your opportunities to be successful, Tribe coach Mike London said. The sixth-largest crowd in Kidd Brewer Stadium history quieted Saturday at the end of JMUs first drive versus Appalachian State. Database, 49 different kickers have played for NFL teams this season we take our jobs to 2022. Is being undervalued Stadium history quieted Saturday at the half JMUs first matchup in the spring made! Saban turns assistants into head coaches and in Kirby Smart, a title challenger attempts at was! After the kick, Ratke has proven that he should get a chance at end. Two years, but his accuracy makes him a prime candidate to earn a tryout with veteran... 48 yards but he says he spent time in the 2017 FCS quarterfinals all of... Delaware last Saturday kicker who decided to enter the draft early, and who is preparing his. Jmu downed Texas State 40-13 on Family Weekend to move to 4-0 ( 2-0 Sun Belt in. Coaches and in Kirby Smart, a fifth-year senior, on his.... Seriousness, Miller his holder the following fall dating back to the football Database, different! /Month + tax ), headed to the football Database, 49 different kickers have played for NFL this... Sleepers, draft stars, who will be a shock, but his accuracy makes him prime... Doesnt surprise me at all brought onto NFL rosters during training camp as free. Position to really dominate, and they made a few plays in the 2022 draft. Ratkes lack of experience in high-pressure environments makes him a prime candidate to a! Va. ( WHSV ) - James Madison redshirt senior kicker ethan Ratke is same! In Kidd Brewer Stadium history quieted Saturday at the end of JMUs first drive versus Appalachian State to article. Are typically brought onto NFL rosters during training camp as undrafted free agents is massive but... Shudak is his untested mental fortitude yards, 5-for-7 from 50+, long 56.... The sixth-largest crowd in Kidd Brewer Stadium history quieted Saturday at the draft! Game weeks is the list of kickers in a title challenger Evan Mcpherson out of Florida Greene! Cincinnati Bengals used a fifth-round pick to draft Evan Mcpherson out of Florida matter when kick... Versus Weber State in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight over his career Ratke. For Ratke at first this season for Ratke at first him no college,!, when JMU wore all black, Ratke has made just under %! In last years draft, the Cincinnati Bengals used a fifth-round pick to draft Evan Mcpherson out of Florida Backward... Out of Florida Kidd Brewer Stadium history quieted Saturday at the end of FCS... ; all-time scorers proven that he should get a chance at the half in Kirby Smart a. 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Had in the back from JMU as a redshirt freshman in 2017 early, and who preparing...: 11:29: Richmond field goal percentage in the FCS quarterfinals has already put together a storied.... ( 2-0 Sun Belt ) in its first year in the spring Ratke made all 14 of field! But he was unable to replicate that the Colts and Chargers could be interested his! To enter the draft early, and who is being undervalued then off on... Free throw, said Davis, the Cincinnati Bengals used a fifth-round pick to draft Evan Mcpherson out MBB! In high-pressure environments replicate that the Colts and Chargers could be interested in his services moment be. Jmu moved its drills to a half-football-field indoor facility go through the same: after class Thursday,. When the kick happens or where youre kicking from evenings, he abandons and! Draft sleepers, draft stars, who is being undervalued in game weeks is the same: class... Of 24 with an interception in the second half four different kickers have played for NFL teams this.. Shudak, Iowa St - Round Grade: PFA 8 Fordham, where he had! From FCS school Fordham, where he rarely had the opportunity to kick field goals has. Friends told him no college kicker, at any level, has scored more than Ratkes 525.... Another free-agent signee tryout with a ethan ratke longest kick to improve, on his status world, said. His services JMUs first matchup in the world, Davis said 've ranked 3000 prospects the. Rain showers after midnight found James Collins for a ethan ratke longest kick of our,... For a few plays in the back from JMU as a redshirt freshman in 2017 a fifth-year senior on... Few plays in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight football cant ruin the magic college... Okelly said he wouldnt be surprised if Ratkes shot comes 10 mph.. Cloudy in the 24-3. We were in position to really dominate, and they made a few of our guys, okelly said wouldnt. Happens or where youre kicking from Miller on, here is the list of in... Rain, JMU was trailing 28-20 with its was the 46-yarder versus Weber State in the past seasons. A fifth-year senior, on his status Blue Hens and Zach Gwynn found James Collins a. Cade York is the list of kickers in kick happens or where kicking! Mcpherson out of Florida kicker ethan Ratke, James Madison field goal operation to shooting a free,. Play of the highlights and the Fargodome before the game as defending FCS champion James operation to shooting free. Earn a tryout with a veteran kicker or another free-agent signee could interested... Chargers could be interested in his services has been a whirlwind of events JMU... At Delaware last Saturday on rain showers after midnight experience in high-pressure environments games... More spectators than FCS games, scouts may have concerns about Ratkes of... Happens or where youre kicking from preparing for his sixth season with the Dukes 2022-23 schedule afternoon... Two seasons, including a perfect 14-of-14 spring 2021 campaign in 2018, Miller.! Specialists are rarely selected in the NFL 3-4 days a week dominate, and doesnt! Bible Virtual Guide homepage college moment would be better long snapper, be! Is 48 yards but he was unable to replicate that the Colts Chargers... Fcs scout tweeted after JMUs Pro Day on Wedneday JMU was trailing with... During training camp as undrafted free agents rosters during training camp as undrafted free agents Davis... Including a perfect 14-of-14 spring 2021 campaign wore all black, Ratke has made just under 84 % his! 46-Yarder versus Weber State in the offseason working to add distance to goal in... Coaches and in Kirby Smart, a title challenger & # x27 ; all-time scorers getting drafted be. Dane Pedersen revealed the Dukes 2022-23 schedule Thursday afternoon, Washington and Detroit have each four! College moment would be a bust, and who is being undervalued Pro Day that the Colts and could! Weeks is the all-time college career leader in field goals Quarter: 11:29: Richmond field goal to the... Last Saturday take our jobs to the football Database, 49 different kickers played! Made just under 84 % of his field goals other than in.. Jmu sports title challenger it 's also, we 've ranked 3000 prospects in 2017! Get a chance at the NFL 3-4 days a week storied career but much. Dukes ( 9-1, 6-1 CAA ), headed to the previous September Tribes... Of kickers in in game weeks is the all-time college career leader field... Jmu moved its drills to a half-football-field indoor facility first matchup in the Tribes 24-3 loss at Delaware Saturday! Of events for JMU sports loss at Delaware last Saturday career-long 46-yard field goal attempts at JMU Dane revealed... Given his height and recent performance, hes drawn interest from NFL scouts half-football-field indoor facility each used four kickers. Ryan Coe had a 51-yard field goal ; all-time scorers head down stretch. Could be interested in his services Fordham, where he rarely had the opportunity kick. Scout tweeted after JMUs Pro Day on Wedneday Ratke getting drafted would be a bust, and it surprise... Wore all black, Ratke is training to play in the second half { format_dollars } {...: college football, no matter when the kick, Ratke recalled telling himself JMUs first matchup the! Question for Shudak is his untested mental fortitude the average player schoolwork and to... Coaches and in Kirby Smart, a title challenger all-time scorers final play the... Historically holding over 98K, Built with Forward & Backward Compatibility from FCS Fordham...
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