Pennsylvania kicker down to five

Kicker/punter Chris Gould from Lock Haven (Pa.) Central Mountain broke his hip last year and therefore was inconsistent as a junior. He is fully recovered now however, and is having a stellar senior campaign. The 6-foot-1, 165 pound prospect is capable of playing either position at the next level, and two schools have enough confidence in him to offer full rides.

Coaches from Pitt, Indiana, and Ohio State have all called this month and expressed interest in having them at their schools next fall. Pitt and Indiana were impressed enough to extend scholarship offers.

With the season in full awing, these schools along with Virginia, Penn State, and Ohio State top the two-star kicker’s list. What does he see in these schools?

Virginia: “I like their coaches and their program is on the rise. Last year their punter did not have to deal with many return yards, so their special teams are good. They take pride in their special teams and spend a lot of time on them.”

Indiana: “I love the town, and they have a great atmosphere. The coaches are nice, and they have great facilities.”

Penn State: “Their facilities are the best, and my brother (junior punter, Robbie Gould) plays there. I know what the program is like, and I have met most of the coaches.”

Ohio State: “I like that (Buckeye placekicker) Nugent is an All-American. They take pride in special teams. Their punter is an All-American, and that is incredible; two All-Americans on special teams on one team. They also have a great atmosphere.”

Pitt: “The coaches are great guys and have been nothing but nice to me. The brand new PMC complex is next to where the Steelers practice and they have terrific facilities. They are right there so the punter can actually get help from (Steeler punter) Josh Miller, because they are right there together. That is great.”

After camping at Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Indiana, Virginia, and the Doug Pelfry and David Akers camps this summer, Gould has tentatively planned to visit Pitt on Oct. 11 to see the panthers play Notre Dame, and has talked to Indiana, but has not set a date. He has already been to Ohio State, but not as an recruit, and went to Virginia last year over the summer. He plans to see as many Penn State games as he can this fall to watch his brother.

Gould is an excellent student with a 3.99 GPA and a 1,060 on the SAT. He plans to put his intellect and skills to good use after graduation from college, by becoming either a business manager or a special teams coordinator.