Kicker is difference maker

One of the most underrated and least recruited positions is place-kicker. This is strange because often times the place-kicker is the difference from winning and losing. One place-kicker who is getting looks and could be one of the rare ones that get a scholie is James Cullen (5-11, 165, 4.55) from Burbank (Calif.) Burroughs.

Place-kickers are difference makers and Cullen makes plays. He is one of the area’s best kickers.

Cullen was selected all-league as a junior after hitting on 21 of 23 PATs and nine of 13 field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards.

“James isn’t like a lot of kickers,” Burroughs head coach Keith Knoop said. “He’s not a lone wolf type.”

“Many kickers are aloof from the rest of the team,” Knoop said. “Not James he’s a great teammate.”

“James has a huge leg,” Knoop said. “I believe he’s going to kick a 60-yarder.”

“That would break the school record of 59-yards,” Knoop said. “I have no doubt that he’s going to break it.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Cullen is working very hard in the off-season to improve his craft and his chances for a D-I scholarship.

Like many of the best kickers of late, Cullen is being tutored by former by former UCLA All-American place-kicker/punter Chris Sailer.