Loftus ready to kick for SMU

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – SMU has had a terrific start to its 2009 recruiting class, securing high-end talent for positions all over the field. During the process, the special teams play has not gotten lost in the shuffle. Recently, Anaheim (Calf.) Servite kicker Mike Loftus committed to the Mustangs and at the Chris Sailer Top 12 Kicking Camp, he proved that he will be a valuable asset.

"Things have been great," Loftus said. "I've really been working on my field goals because that's kind of one of my weaker spots. I committed like last week or so and that's been making me work even harder."

Loftus was one of the top performers at the Sailer event which features all of the top kickers in the nation. At the event, Loftus' big leg stood out.

"Kickoffs is my biggest thing," he said. "I think I might get to do everything at SMU. There's a guy who's going to be a senior this year and I think he's like an All-American guy but I'll be competing my freshman year."

When Loftus picked SMU, a number of factors came into play.

"There's a few reasons," he said. "The business school, I'm interested in going into business. The coaching staff is very good. The special teams coach Coach Frank Ganz, he's been in the NFL for 25 years so that's big for me because I want to play on Sundays. I'm going to just try to soak all that up. June Jones is a great guy, I just clicked with him. And I just like Dallas. It's a great city."

Loftus was also recruited by schools such as USC, Stanford and Princeton.