" width="900" height="1200" /> Jordan Stout (center) will join Virginia Tech for the Class of 2017 as a preferred walk-on. (Picture via Twitter)Kickers and punters don’t always get the credit or attention they deserve. They can often impact the game in ways that are overlooked, which might be why the commitment of Jordan Stout to Virginia Tech didn’t garner much attention.
Perhaps it should.
Stout, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound recruit out of Honaker, VA., is one of the better kickers in the region. Stout received interest from Arkansas, Clemson, Tennessee and Virginia, among others. He decided though on Tuesday to commit to Virginia Tech as a preferred walk-on.
“I talked to my family and I had been close with the coaches through my junior and senior year,” Stout said. “We just finally made the decision that it was time to commit to Tech.”
Stout, who can kick and punt, said he broke Honaker High School’s season kicking and punting records, hitting all eight field goal attempts and averaging 46.7 yards per punt. He was a Single A All-State kicker and will play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Atlanta.
Special Teams Coordinator James Shibest was Stout’s lead recruiter at Virginia Tech.
“He’s always been straightforward and I love that,” Stout said. “He’s always told me how it is and he’s been really nice. He’s just a good guy.”
Stout said that he’d love to both kick and punt at Tech, but says the current plan is for him to start at kicker.
“They told me they want me as a kicker, but they said I can fight for the punting job,” Stout said. “It could be either one.”
Stout has been heavily interested in Virginia Tech since the Hokies began recruiting him as a junior in high school. He says he’s visited campus six or seven times since he lives so close by.
“That was another big factor for me committing to Tech,” Stout said.
Stout says he’s loved each and every visit, especially gamedays.
“I don’t think there’s any other atmosphere that’s better, to be honest,” Stout said.
If you'd like to see some of Stout's kicks, here is his highlight video from his senior season.