Kevin Huber

The arrival of new head coach Brian Kelly brought about a renaissance for the Bearcats' special teams. After patiently waiting for his opportunity, Huber was named the squad's starting punter for the 2007 campaign. He rewarded his coach for having faith in him, as he went on to not only lead the nation in gross punting (46.88-yard average), but also helped Cincinnati lead the major college ranks in net punting (40.21 average by Huber and 39.61 yards by the team). With his stellar junior campaign under his belt, professional scouts were curious if Huber's performance was a one-shot affair. Throughout the 2008 season, he backed up his performance, as his 44.95-yard gross average ranked seventh-highest in the major college division. He also became the first player in Division I history to lead the nation in net punting average (2006-08) in three consecutive seasons. Huber attended McNicholas (Cincinnati, Ohio) High School, playing football for head coach John Rodenburg. The three-time All-League selection was named the league's Punter of the Year as a junior and senior. In his final season, he helped the team gain a berth in the state playoffs. In 2004, Huber enrolled at Cincinnati, earning Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recognition as both a true and redshirt freshman. He was one of 16 Bearcats to make his collegiate debut in the 2005 season opener vs. Eastern Michigan, but did not get into a game again until the season finale vs. Rutgers. He finished that year with a 35.7-yard average on six kicks, including three that were downed inside the 20-yard line. Huber was relegated to understudy duties behind Brian Steel in 2006. His only action came vs. Western Michigan in the International Bowl. He made the most of that limited opportunity, as both of his punts were for 50 yards or longer, attaining a 50.5-yard average. As a junior, Huber was a consensus All-American and unanimous All-Big East Conference selection. The Ray Guy Award finalist (nation's top punter) also garnered Big East Special Teams Player of the Year accolades. He punted 57 times for 2,672 yards, setting school season (46.88 avg) and game (59.7-yard average vs. Marshall) records while leading the nation in gross and net yard average. He also gained 12 yards on a rushing attempt from punt formation and recorded a tackle. Huber continued his excellence as a senior. The Ray Guy Award semifinalist and All-American first-team choice ranked seventh in the nation with a 44.95-yard average on 60 punts and led the major college ranks with a 41.83-yard net average. He had 24 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including 15 inside the 10-yard marker and seven that were placed inside the 5-yard line.