Jimmy Maners is from Rock Hill, SC and played both the QB and P positions for the Northwestern High School Trojans under coach Jimmy "Moose" Wallace. Northwestern is consistently ranked among the top 10 high school football teams in the state and just this past year made it all the way to the state championship game played in Death Valley. During his playing days there, he lettered three times in football and twice in golf. He was named an all-area QB and all-region P by the Rock Hill Herald and averaged 42 yards per punt in his junior and senior seasons.
Maners walked on to the Tigers team in the spring of 2005 and became the starter in 2007, averaging 42.8 yards per punt and booting a career-long 71 yarder. He punted 49 times (his jersey number) in 2008-09 and averaged 40.5 yards per punt, with seven going for 50+ yards. Off the field, Jimmy holds the distinction of being the first Tiger football player inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He consistently made the Dean's list as a student and had a perfect 4.0 GPA in the spring semester of 2008 before graduating with a degree in history.
JM: You graduated in May, 2008 with a degree in history. Now that the season is over, what are you up to and what are your future plans? Are you planning on attending the NFL Pro Day or combine and trying to gauge whether you have a shot at making it to the pro level?
Maners: Yes I am going to attend the Pro Day and see what happens from there. Hopefully, I’ll get a shot if all goes well. Right now, I am finishing up a second degree in philosophy. If the NFL does not happen over the next two years, then I am going to attend law school. If I go to law school, I am planning on enrolling in the fall of 2010.
JM: I don't know if you will remember this or not but it was pretty funny. It happened at the NC State game this past year: During a tv timeout when it was pretty quiet, a teenage girl who was sitting right behind my wife and me (10 rows up behind the Clemson bench on about the 30 yard line nearest the West Zone) suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs: "I LOVE YOU JIMMY MANERS!" You turned around but I'm not sure if you heard anything other than your name. Any recollection and do the young ladies profess their love to you publicly on a regular basis?
Maners: During the games I hear a lot of people yelling my name. I am over by the wall a lot catching snaps and swinging my leg, so I am closer to the fans than any of the other players. I have a lot of friends that yell at me during games and I try to shout back or least let them know that I heard them. I never really have too many teenage girls come up to me and profess their love but I’m guessing the days like that are over. Not too many teenage girls profess their love to NFL punters and I am guessing that slim to none profess their love to lawyers but maybe I still have a chance. Recognizing fans during the game is usually frowned upon by many of the coaches but I enjoy it. I think it makes the games a lot more fun for both me and the fans.
JM: You played both the QB and P positions at Northwestern High in Rock Hill and earned All-Region honors as a punter your senior year. You averaged 42 yards per punt in both your junior and senior seasons, yet you had to walk on to the team in the spring of 2005. Were you recruited and offered a scholarship by other schools and were you invited to walk-on by Clemson or did you request the opportunity?
Maners: I was kind of an invited walk-on. Tommy Bowden came to visit my high school teammate Jamie Robinson (now a DB at FSU) at Northwestern and my coach happened to mention to him that I was a good punter. Bowden invited me to come out if I chose to attend Clemson. I had a full ride to Wofford to play QB and punt but I just didn’t feel like that was the place for me. I was also heavily recruited by D3 schools like Washington and Lee and Sewanee, but they could offer no scholarship money. At the end of the day, I really felt like I was fully capable of playing at Clemson and I think that influenced my decision most of all. Not to degrade smaller schools, I just thought it would be more exciting to play for a large number of fans, although I do think playing at a smaller school would have certain advantages.
JM: Your career punting average with the Tigers is about 41.8, which is very solid. I looked up stats. on the 32 active punters in the NFL and the average is about 42.7. It's interesting to consider that some of those punters get to kick in domes a lot of the time. How much do the weather conditions play into a punt's distance/placement and what other factors can make a difference?
Maners: Weather plays a huge factor in punting, especially wind. Wind can screw punting up more than anything. Rain and cold always negatively affect punting as well. On the other hand, a slight favorable breeze and warm temperatures affect punting in a positive way. Being able to punt in a dome is a huge advantage and it certainly decreases the chance of hitting a ball that will be affected by those outside factors beyond technique. Bad weather also requires me to think more. Usually, it's just a motion and reaction deal but in bad weather I have to think more and that can have its pros and cons. Usually more cons than pros.
JM: I know you were a two-time letterman in golf at Northwestern High School. It seems like there could be a strong correlation with golf and punting because of the feeling you get when you connect with the ball in the sweet spot versus a shank, the mechanics and focus required and the strategy of ball placement. The only obvious difference would be that you've only got one leg and not 14 clubs to do it all with. Do you find any similarities?
Maners: Golf and punting are quite similar. Almost any saying that you have heard in golf, you can apply to punting as well. There are so analogous it isn’t even funny. Staying smooth, following through and being consistent are crucial to both sports. In a weird way, they are almost exactly the same.
JM: Two punts in your career stand out to me: The first was in this past year's (2008) game against SC. We're up 10-0 early in the 2nd quarter but SC drives to our 40 yard line before stalling. SC punter Spencer Lanning pins us deep on our own 3 and after a 3 and out, you're punting about two feet from the back line of the end zone. You know they're probably coming after it and yet you boom a 54 yarder that is angled to the right sideline, bounces on the SC 44 and then goes out of bounds at the 40, a huge play in terms of the change in field possession and doesn't allow Kenny McKinley a chance at a return. I've never seen you so fired up after a punt and rightfully so. What was going through your mind beforehand and how much does adrenaline play a factor in a punt like that, given the circumstances?
Maners: Adrenaline plays a huge factor in hitting good punts, along with confidence. I knew if I hit a good punt that it could be a game-changer. I was having so much fun that day; I knew every punt I hit was going to be a good one. I felt it that day and I wish all days could be like that. We called a right angle punt and the wind was favorable in that direction, so I knew if I hit it well it would take off. They didn’t bring much pressure and I had a great snap. The timing was perfect and it just took off. I was pumped because of the situation and I figured I’d better take advantage of it while I could. It was my last game in Death Valley and I did something that I will always remember. Situations like that don’t happen every day, so I figured I would make it truly worthwhile by getting the fans to cheer and laugh simultaneously.
JM: The second punt that stands out to me was in 2007 against Louisiana-Monroe. It was mid-4th quarter and you had only punted twice up to that point because we were scoring on most possessions, up 49-19. Korn gets sacked on 3rd down on our own 17, forcing the punt. You come in and boom one 71 yards, your career longest. Tell us about that one.
Maners: The career long was a punt that I wanted to kick over the guy’s head and I did. The returner was lined up at like 35 yards, so I knew I could bomb it over his head. I purposely kept it low so he wouldn’t be able to get back to it fast enough. In that situation in the game, being in the 4th quarter with us killing them, it kind of set up the opportunity to hit a long punt. The weather was perfect and the stadium was practically empty, so it was good time to hit a solid punt. I only wish it would have rolled further!
JM: What team win during your career as a Tiger will you look back on as the most gratifying and what team loss do you think will always sting the most and why?
Maners: The best team win will most definitely be the USC game of 2008. That was the most fun I have had playing football in a real long time and it being my last game in Clemson made it that much sweeter. The worst loss would have to be VT in 2007. We got killed and it was freezing cold. It was absolutely miserable.
JM: Do you think Dawson Zimmerman has a lock on the punting job going into spring practice and Richard Jackson will be the place kicker going into the 2009 season? I'm assuming that if Zimmerman got hurt, Jackson could pull double-duty but what kind of depth do we have at these two positions? Will Spencer Benton play any kind of role or do we need someone else to try and walk on like you did to provide both competition and depth?
Maners: Yes, I’m sure that Dawson will be the starting punter next year. He has solid technique and he will do well. He may be the best punter in Clemson history if he gets a full steam of confidence and the coaches support him 100%. If they tell him "you are the guy and we give you liberty to mess up once in a while", then he will be awesome. I have questions about the PK situation though. Jackson and Benton both have really, really strong legs but they aren’t very consistent. It might be the most competitive fight for a position over the spring. I do think a talented walk-on could come in and start and PK next season if the coaches give him an opportunity. I think Richard is fully capable of playing at Clemson but he needs to focus and improve over the summer. Richard could be deadly if he completely dedicates himself to kicking over the next 8 months.
JM: Last question: There's been a significant number of coaching staff changes over the past few weeks. In addition, for the 2009 season, the Tigers will be without a dozen key players including yourself, Buccholz, Harper, Davis, Kelly, Grisham, Faerber, Hamlin, Scott, Clemmons, Rashaad Jackson and McKissick. Do you think fans should temper their expectations and consider this a rebuilding year or is there a chance that new coaches and new starters could gel, step up and win the Atlantic division?
Maners: There is always a chance that the Tigers could win the Atlantic division and I think it is a truly attainable goal next season. Although we lost a lot, they still have and are getting much more in return. I think they can win the Atlantic division but expectations are a funny thing. I think fans' preseason expectations are too high. Last year, people were talking sure-fire ACC champions and maybe a national championship. Yes, those are great goals but if you truly expect that then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You have to expect to win but sometimes funny things happen. I think Clemson can win the ACC but it has to go one game at a time. That is the key- one game at a time. It is all about playing the best you can every game and that has to be the focus. Some fans seem to create some sort of fantasy-land ideal picture of a season and that’s well and fine if they know it is a dream season. Dream seasons almost never happen in college football. Teams lose games but the focus needs to be on the reality of how the team is playing at a particular point in time, not the fantasized expectations.
JM: I would just like to finish by saying thank you for your contributions to the team and I'm glad that you chose to come to Clemson. I wish you the best in your future endeavors whether it be the NFL or law school. Good luck and take care.
Maners walked on to the Tigers team in the spring of 2005 and became the starter in 2007, averaging 42.8 yards per punt and booting a career-long 71 yarder. He punted 49 times (his jersey number) in 2008-09 and averaged 40.5 yards per punt, with seven going for 50+ yards. Off the field, Jimmy holds the distinction of being the first Tiger football player inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He consistently made the Dean's list as a student and had a perfect 4.0 GPA in the spring semester of 2008 before graduating with a degree in history.
JM: You graduated in May, 2008 with a degree in history. Now that the season is over, what are you up to and what are your future plans? Are you planning on attending the NFL Pro Day or combine and trying to gauge whether you have a shot at making it to the pro level?
Maners: Yes I am going to attend the Pro Day and see what happens from there. Hopefully, I’ll get a shot if all goes well. Right now, I am finishing up a second degree in philosophy. If the NFL does not happen over the next two years, then I am going to attend law school. If I go to law school, I am planning on enrolling in the fall of 2010.
JM: I don't know if you will remember this or not but it was pretty funny. It happened at the NC State game this past year: During a tv timeout when it was pretty quiet, a teenage girl who was sitting right behind my wife and me (10 rows up behind the Clemson bench on about the 30 yard line nearest the West Zone) suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs: "I LOVE YOU JIMMY MANERS!" You turned around but I'm not sure if you heard anything other than your name. Any recollection and do the young ladies profess their love to you publicly on a regular basis?
Maners: During the games I hear a lot of people yelling my name. I am over by the wall a lot catching snaps and swinging my leg, so I am closer to the fans than any of the other players. I have a lot of friends that yell at me during games and I try to shout back or least let them know that I heard them. I never really have too many teenage girls come up to me and profess their love but I’m guessing the days like that are over. Not too many teenage girls profess their love to NFL punters and I am guessing that slim to none profess their love to lawyers but maybe I still have a chance. Recognizing fans during the game is usually frowned upon by many of the coaches but I enjoy it. I think it makes the games a lot more fun for both me and the fans.
JM: You played both the QB and P positions at Northwestern High in Rock Hill and earned All-Region honors as a punter your senior year. You averaged 42 yards per punt in both your junior and senior seasons, yet you had to walk on to the team in the spring of 2005. Were you recruited and offered a scholarship by other schools and were you invited to walk-on by Clemson or did you request the opportunity?
Maners: I was kind of an invited walk-on. Tommy Bowden came to visit my high school teammate Jamie Robinson (now a DB at FSU) at Northwestern and my coach happened to mention to him that I was a good punter. Bowden invited me to come out if I chose to attend Clemson. I had a full ride to Wofford to play QB and punt but I just didn’t feel like that was the place for me. I was also heavily recruited by D3 schools like Washington and Lee and Sewanee, but they could offer no scholarship money. At the end of the day, I really felt like I was fully capable of playing at Clemson and I think that influenced my decision most of all. Not to degrade smaller schools, I just thought it would be more exciting to play for a large number of fans, although I do think playing at a smaller school would have certain advantages.
JM: Your career punting average with the Tigers is about 41.8, which is very solid. I looked up stats. on the 32 active punters in the NFL and the average is about 42.7. It's interesting to consider that some of those punters get to kick in domes a lot of the time. How much do the weather conditions play into a punt's distance/placement and what other factors can make a difference?
Maners: Weather plays a huge factor in punting, especially wind. Wind can screw punting up more than anything. Rain and cold always negatively affect punting as well. On the other hand, a slight favorable breeze and warm temperatures affect punting in a positive way. Being able to punt in a dome is a huge advantage and it certainly decreases the chance of hitting a ball that will be affected by those outside factors beyond technique. Bad weather also requires me to think more. Usually, it's just a motion and reaction deal but in bad weather I have to think more and that can have its pros and cons. Usually more cons than pros.
JM: I know you were a two-time letterman in golf at Northwestern High School. It seems like there could be a strong correlation with golf and punting because of the feeling you get when you connect with the ball in the sweet spot versus a shank, the mechanics and focus required and the strategy of ball placement. The only obvious difference would be that you've only got one leg and not 14 clubs to do it all with. Do you find any similarities?
Maners: Golf and punting are quite similar. Almost any saying that you have heard in golf, you can apply to punting as well. There are so analogous it isn’t even funny. Staying smooth, following through and being consistent are crucial to both sports. In a weird way, they are almost exactly the same.
JM: Two punts in your career stand out to me: The first was in this past year's (2008) game against SC. We're up 10-0 early in the 2nd quarter but SC drives to our 40 yard line before stalling. SC punter Spencer Lanning pins us deep on our own 3 and after a 3 and out, you're punting about two feet from the back line of the end zone. You know they're probably coming after it and yet you boom a 54 yarder that is angled to the right sideline, bounces on the SC 44 and then goes out of bounds at the 40, a huge play in terms of the change in field possession and doesn't allow Kenny McKinley a chance at a return. I've never seen you so fired up after a punt and rightfully so. What was going through your mind beforehand and how much does adrenaline play a factor in a punt like that, given the circumstances?
Maners: Adrenaline plays a huge factor in hitting good punts, along with confidence. I knew if I hit a good punt that it could be a game-changer. I was having so much fun that day; I knew every punt I hit was going to be a good one. I felt it that day and I wish all days could be like that. We called a right angle punt and the wind was favorable in that direction, so I knew if I hit it well it would take off. They didn’t bring much pressure and I had a great snap. The timing was perfect and it just took off. I was pumped because of the situation and I figured I’d better take advantage of it while I could. It was my last game in Death Valley and I did something that I will always remember. Situations like that don’t happen every day, so I figured I would make it truly worthwhile by getting the fans to cheer and laugh simultaneously.
JM: The second punt that stands out to me was in 2007 against Louisiana-Monroe. It was mid-4th quarter and you had only punted twice up to that point because we were scoring on most possessions, up 49-19. Korn gets sacked on 3rd down on our own 17, forcing the punt. You come in and boom one 71 yards, your career longest. Tell us about that one.
Maners: The career long was a punt that I wanted to kick over the guy’s head and I did. The returner was lined up at like 35 yards, so I knew I could bomb it over his head. I purposely kept it low so he wouldn’t be able to get back to it fast enough. In that situation in the game, being in the 4th quarter with us killing them, it kind of set up the opportunity to hit a long punt. The weather was perfect and the stadium was practically empty, so it was good time to hit a solid punt. I only wish it would have rolled further!
JM: What team win during your career as a Tiger will you look back on as the most gratifying and what team loss do you think will always sting the most and why?
Maners: The best team win will most definitely be the USC game of 2008. That was the most fun I have had playing football in a real long time and it being my last game in Clemson made it that much sweeter. The worst loss would have to be VT in 2007. We got killed and it was freezing cold. It was absolutely miserable.
JM: Do you think Dawson Zimmerman has a lock on the punting job going into spring practice and Richard Jackson will be the place kicker going into the 2009 season? I'm assuming that if Zimmerman got hurt, Jackson could pull double-duty but what kind of depth do we have at these two positions? Will Spencer Benton play any kind of role or do we need someone else to try and walk on like you did to provide both competition and depth?
Maners: Yes, I’m sure that Dawson will be the starting punter next year. He has solid technique and he will do well. He may be the best punter in Clemson history if he gets a full steam of confidence and the coaches support him 100%. If they tell him "you are the guy and we give you liberty to mess up once in a while", then he will be awesome. I have questions about the PK situation though. Jackson and Benton both have really, really strong legs but they aren’t very consistent. It might be the most competitive fight for a position over the spring. I do think a talented walk-on could come in and start and PK next season if the coaches give him an opportunity. I think Richard is fully capable of playing at Clemson but he needs to focus and improve over the summer. Richard could be deadly if he completely dedicates himself to kicking over the next 8 months.
JM: Last question: There's been a significant number of coaching staff changes over the past few weeks. In addition, for the 2009 season, the Tigers will be without a dozen key players including yourself, Buccholz, Harper, Davis, Kelly, Grisham, Faerber, Hamlin, Scott, Clemmons, Rashaad Jackson and McKissick. Do you think fans should temper their expectations and consider this a rebuilding year or is there a chance that new coaches and new starters could gel, step up and win the Atlantic division?
Maners: There is always a chance that the Tigers could win the Atlantic division and I think it is a truly attainable goal next season. Although we lost a lot, they still have and are getting much more in return. I think they can win the Atlantic division but expectations are a funny thing. I think fans' preseason expectations are too high. Last year, people were talking sure-fire ACC champions and maybe a national championship. Yes, those are great goals but if you truly expect that then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You have to expect to win but sometimes funny things happen. I think Clemson can win the ACC but it has to go one game at a time. That is the key- one game at a time. It is all about playing the best you can every game and that has to be the focus. Some fans seem to create some sort of fantasy-land ideal picture of a season and that’s well and fine if they know it is a dream season. Dream seasons almost never happen in college football. Teams lose games but the focus needs to be on the reality of how the team is playing at a particular point in time, not the fantasized expectations.
JM: I would just like to finish by saying thank you for your contributions to the team and I'm glad that you chose to come to Clemson. I wish you the best in your future endeavors whether it be the NFL or law school. Good luck and take care.
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