Draft Preview: Brett Baer

Among the kickers eligible for this year's NFL draft, or signing as an undrafted free agent thereafter, is Louisiana-Lafayette's Brett Baer. He ranks in the top ten in the majority of the various draft rankings.

Excerpts from Baer's profile page on the Ragin' Cajuns' website:

2012 Senior Season

• became most accurate  kicker in NCAA history, with career field goal percentage of 90%
• selected First Team All-Sun Belt Conference
• ranks third in ULL history with 243 career points
• made field goals of 50, 25 & 40 yards in 43-34 win over East Carolina in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

2011 Junior Season

• Semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award, 
• earned second team All-Sun Belt honors as both a kicker and punter and second team All-Louisiana by the LSWA
• tabbed the team’s special teams MVP
• led the nation in field goal accuracy (10 or more attempts) at .900
• was four-for-four on onside kick attempts 
• connected on a career-long 50-yard field goal as time expired to give UL a 32-30 win over San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl
• broke a 34-34 tie against Florida Atlantic (10/1) by making a 37-yard field goal with no time left to give the Ragin’ Cajuns the win

2010 Sophomore Season

• Began season as backup kicker, then assumed starting role in fifth game
• season-long effort of 42 yards came vs. Troy in his first career attempt. . . 
• was the primary kickoff specialist for the second straight season
• made six tackles, including two vs. ASU

2009 Freshman Season

• Primary kickoff specialist all 12 games

High School

• Was a two-time all-county selection
• averaged 44.5 yards per punt.

College Stats:
2012: 20 of 23 (87.0%) FGs; 53 of 56 PATs; 113 points
2011: 18 of 20 (90.0%) FGs; 46 of 50 PATs; 100 points
2010: 7 of 7 (100%) FGs; 23 of 23 PATs; 44 points

From last October. midway through his senior season:

“I played a little [soccer] in middle school, but I started kicking sophomore year. I ended up being pretty decent at it.... 

I want to finish this season out and be successful. When I look back on my college career, I want to know I helped my team win all those years. I want to make new recruits say, ‘Man, that guy was freakin’ awesome'."