New Ohio State football special teams coordinator Robby Discher praised Baylor transfer kicker Connor Hawkins’ clutch ability after a spring practice April 10.
“The moment’s never too big for Connor,” Discher said. “You can tell he’s got a good demeanor about it and he’s even-keeled, and he’s done a good job.”
Ohio State’s kicking is getting a makeover, largely due to the presence of a full-time special teams coordinator. The Buckeyes have not operated with one since 2023, when Parker Fleming was fired after the season.
Before this season, Ohio State coach Ryan Day had divvied up the role among assistant coaches. During spring practice in 2024, safeties coach Matt Guerrieri and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis led punts and kickoffs, while offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey led returns.
This season, Day brought in Discher, who led Illinois to a No. 7 special teams ranking in 2024, according to opponent-adjusted ratings from statistician Brian Fremeau. The Illini were No. 24 this past season.
A large part of the success was thanks to two-time All-Big Ten kicker David Olano, who made 37 of 43 field-goal attempts and 82 of 83 extra points his sophomore and junior seasons. He made the game-winning field goal against Tennessee in the Music City Bowl in December.
When comparing Olano to Hawkins, Discher pointed out the mental game has led to success for both kickers.
“Both of them have a really good mindset,” Discher said. “They’re never too high, they’re never too low. You miss a kick, you’ve already forgotten about it by the time you got a next opportunity. … They’re both super competitive, which is a big thing as well.”
In 11 games for Baylor last year as a redshirt freshman, Hawkins was perfect on extra points and made 18 of 22 field goal attempts. He brings a boost in range, having made three 50-plus-yard field goals last season with a long of 54. Ohio State has not had a kicker make a 50-yard field goal since Blake Haubeil in 2019.
Hawkins made two game-winning kicks for Baylor last season, including a 53-yarder against Kansas State with 31 seconds remaining.
Although Discher has been with Ohio State only since the beginning of February, he’s seen a growth in trust between Hawkins and punter/holder Joe McGuire, calling McGuire the “constant” in the special teams room as a leader. Discher also praised incoming long snapper Dalton Riggs, who signed with Ohio State after three seasons at BYU and last season at UCF.
“Really accurate snapping,” Discher said. “Like, consistently gives them laces on a field goal, gives the holder laces so you don’t have to spin it very often. And it’s a trust factor for Connor.”
Discher spent three years at Illinois and was special teams coordinator at Tulane in 2022. He has also made stops at Georgia, Louisiana and Toledo.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins ready for big moments, coordinator says
Reporting by Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
