Inside the Program: Most valuable punter
September 25, 2011 | Football
Sept. 25, 2011
The official Gameday Program at each Badgers home game includes a profile of one of the athletes pictured on the program’s cover. This feature is just one of the exclusive items available inside the program, which is available for purchase on game day at Camp Randall Stadium or online at NationalWClub.com. Today we look at senior punter Brad Nortman, who was featured in the program for Saturday’s game against South Dakota. | Purchase Gameday Programs
BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com
MADISON, Wis. -- UW punter Brad Nortman was trying to bring some context to his specialty. By doing so, he was also speaking for his fellow senior specialists: placekicker Philip Welch and snapper Kyle Wojta.
“When I came here, there was a little bit of a culture shock,” Nortman said. “In high school, I was a two-way player in football and I also played basketball.
“It’s definitely a different mentality that you need to have as a specialist. It’s less physical and a ton more mental; both of which I wasn’t ready for (as a freshman). It was certainly an adjustment.
“But I’ve learned to embrace it and take pride in it.”
At Brookfield Central, he started at linebacker and tight end. Tracing his evolution as an athlete all the way back to the 4th grade, he competed in football, basketball, baseball and soccer as a youth.
Nortman has always thrived on competition. The same can be said of Welch and Wojta. Both were members of the 2007 recruiting class and redshirted as freshmen. Wojta was an invited walk-on.
“They were here a year before me,” Nortman said, “but we all kind of got thrown into the fire at the same time. We’ve certainly grown up together and used each other for support.
 | ||
|
“I’ve gotten to be good friends with both of them. They’re good guys and I’m glad I was able to go through the experience with them -- it’s good to have guys who are in the same boat with you.”
Wojta, a two-time team captain at Madison La Follette, earned his first letter as the long snapper on the punting unit in 2009. Last season, he tore his ACL the week of the Ohio State game.
Despite the knee injury, Wojta continued to snap for placements.
“Most guys would have elected to have surgery right away,” Nortman said, “but he just wanted to be a part of this team and I respect him so much for that.
“He’s really a tough guy. People may not think of snappers as being tough. But he truly epitomizes being a ‘program guy’ -- selling out totally for this program.”
Welch, a second-team prep All-American out of Fort Collins, Colo., came into the 2011 season ranking second in school history in field goal percentage (54-of-70,.771) behind Matt Davenport (.868).
Welch, though, has been sidelined for the first three games because of a leg injury. In his absence, Kyle French has been kicking field goals and extra points and Alec Lerner has been kicking off.
“I really feel for him (Welch),” Nortman said. “As a punter or kicker, your legs are so delicate and so important; it’s something that you can’t describe.
“It’s his senior year and I know how badly he wants to be out there. We just have to do everything we can do to help him through this and hopefully when he comes back he’ll be his old self.”
Nortman has been a fixture on special teams for the last four seasons; a legacy that he shares with former UW punters Scott Cepicky, Sam Veit, Kevin Stemke and Ken DeBauche.
“Some people really don’t understand the craft of it (punting),” Nortman said of his specialty, “and it’s certainly a craft with the mental aspect and all the details.”
In high school, Nortman read the book, Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence co-authored by David Casstevens and Gary Mack, an accomplished sports psychology consultant.
The book delves into the power of visualization and building “mental muscles.”
“I found it very interesting and intriguing in approaching sports and competition,” Nortman said. “But my personal experiences have gotten me further than any advice that people could give me.
“You learn by kicking -- by being thrown into the fire. I’ve tried to keep it simple, because it is a simple craft. It’s your own ‘mind blocks’ that can get in your way.
“You have to bust through those blocks and remember what got you here.”
His parents, William and Jane, have always been a part of the success equation. “They’ve set an example for me to live by,” he said, “and they’ve held me up to high standards.”
What were Nortman’s personal expectations when he got to Wisconsin?
“I wanted to be a four-year starter; so far that’s going well,” he said. “At the time, I also had goals for myself as far as (punting) numbers were concerned and individual awards.
“But I guess I’ve learned over the last four years that the best thing I can do -- and the most satisfaction that I can get from the team -- is to be the best punter in whatever situation I’m put in.
“Pooch kicks aren’t going to help your average,” he said of punts that are downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. “But it really doesn’t matter because it’s a team effort.
“No matter what the situation, I want to make sure I do my best. That’s my expectation.”
Was there one seminal moment in his development as a college punter?
“There was one that really allowed me to be the punter that I am right now,” said Nortman, citing his performance in the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl against Miami.
Nortman impacted field position by having three of his five punts downed inside the 20. The previous year, he averaged 44.3 yards in the 2008 Champs Bowl against Florida State.
But that was a loss. The Badgers beat the ‘Canes and Nortman’s punting was a factor.
“Up until that point as a sophomore, I had a good year,” he said. “But that was my breakout game. From a punting standpoint that was my coming out party propelling me into my junior year.”
There was one notable speed bump in 2010. The Badgers lost their Big Ten opener at Michigan State and one of the key plays was Keshawn Martin’s 74-yard punt return for a touchdown.
“You hate to use the word ‘regret’” Nortman said. “But that was one game, of course, where I would have liked to have punted it differently (to Martin). But it’s a learning experience.
“I try to take a situation like that and learn from it and better myself and I think I’ve done that.”
No matter what he achieves as a punter -- and UW coach Bret Bielema believes Nortman is the best punter in college football -- he will forever be remembered for running the ball, not kicking it.
At Iowa, he ran 17 yards on a fake punt to keep a possession alive in the fourth quarter. He also ran for 11 yards on another fake punt against TCU in the Rose Bowl.
Is there a level of anxiety for Nortman wondering if he will get another carry?
“I don’t know if I’d call it anxiety,” he said. “I would call it anticipation or excitement. I think I’ve proven myself worthy after those two runs.”
People bring it up to Nortman all the time. They talk about his running, not his punting.
“It’s so true, it’s my image now with the media and everyone else,” he said with a laugh. “Honestly, I love talking about it. That play (at Iowa) is so ingrained in my mind.
“I can still visualize it. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget.”
And that’s because Nortman’s run helped Wisconsin beat the Hawkeyes.
Is there another fake punt in his future?
“I would like one more,” he said. “It’s my senior year and I want go out with a bang.”
