Interview: 5-Star 2017 Texas Kicker Blake Mazza Ready to Showoff Canon at Camp to Coaches
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The recruiting cycle for any football player be it at the high school or junior college level can be extremely frustrating and difficult. One of the oft overlooked areas of the game with an even narrower window of finding a landing spot is for special teams players making every moment count regardless of on the field or at special teams camps. One key recruit who has done it on the field time and time again but is ready to keep proving his worth to college coaches is Texas 2017 standout Blake Mazza.
Of the hundreds, if not thousands, of high school and junior college kickers that can sign and hope to sign in February, Mazza is on a rare tier. One of the top kicking gurus in the nation, Chris Sailer, who is trusted by collegiate coaches across the country, has Mazza as a five-star prospect. Mazza has been kicking the ball through the uprights and through the back of the end zone on kickoffs for three seasons highlighting his canon for a leg earning his recruiting stars.
The journey started in 2014 when the Plano High School star got his first field goal try and nailed 10-of-10 PAT tries. During his sophomore season, Mazza was given a bigger role in the Wildcat’s offensive production hitting six tries with a long of 44-yards while hitting 27-of-28 PATs. He also booted 45 kickoffs covering an estimated 1,383 yards.
The 5-10, 175 pound, talent has made several appearances at Chris Sailer kicking camps refining his form and consistency over the years. All of the hard work paid off during the 2016 season hitting 31 extra point attempts while hitting four field goal tries with a long of 49-yards. In addition to his 48 kickoffs with 20 not making it out of the end zone, Mazza also punted for the first time during his senior campaign helping flip field position for his squad.
Interest is there from college teams like TCU, Houston, SMU, and Duke along with an offer from Army. The trouble is, unlike other positions on the gridiron, a spot does not open up every year for kickers, punters, or long snappers making the recruiting process even more harrowing for hopefuls. Beyond the scholarship offers at a limited roster spot, not all college coaches believe in extending scholarships to special team players forcing the preferred walk-on route for many.
With one of the bigger Chris Sailer kicking camps looming this weekend, I sat down with Mazza covering his senior season and his goals for the camp in Vegas where he can show college coaches one more time what he is made of on the field and under pressure.
Interview
Blake, how did your senior season go overall?
“It went really well. I was pretty pleased with my performance. We finished 4-6 in a tough Texas district. We played Guyer and Allen, a lot of the top teams in the state. I was pleased with how I played.”
Which honors did you earn during your senior year?
“I was first team All-District, Honorable Mention All-State, and pre-season All-Area.”
How did your game improve this season?
“I definitely improved on my kickoffs. That was something I was striving to do. My best kickoff was 17 out the back. I almost hit a band member before halftime. That was kind of funny. I hit some through the uprights. I was consistently putting them 8- to 10-yards deep in the end zone. I have kept consistent on field goals. My punting, that was something I was pleased with. I flipped the field and contributed to a couple of our wins.”
You mentioned your kickoffs improved, how so?
“I was 2-for-2 on onside kicks. I did well on those. I have a coach at my school that helped me with that. There were a couple different games when we needed that and we recovered it. I was pleased and my coaches loved it.”
What was your longest punt of the season?
“I think my longest was 62 yards.”
Did you have any misses that were on you on field goal attempts?
“I had one that was 40-something yards that I pushed into the wind. That was my only miss this year that was on me.”
What did you work on throughout the season in practice to improve your field goal accuracy?
“Throughout 2016, and in camps, I have been focused on being able to kick from either hash. I am comfortable on the left, down the middle, or on the right. That is something I have in me. I’m comfortable anywhere on the field. Some kickers want to be on a certain hash. I think that helps separate me from other kickers. I don’t get nervous on one side of the field. That sets me apart from others.”
What was your longest field goal of the season?
“My longest was 49-yards. My lowest was 22-yards but all the others were 40-plus. Not the easiest of field goals.”
How have your off-season workouts gone so far?
“I’ve been working out a ton. I’m still kicking as much as possible. I’m keeping my weight up, I’m above 175. I’m trying to get stronger prepping for college. A lot of people take time off, I’ve been in the weight room since the season ended.”
Are you going to the Chris Sailer kicking camp in Vegas this weekend?
“Yes, I will be attending that one.”
What has you excited for this camp?
“I’m going to this camp with a chip on my shoulder because recruiting has been slow. Guys in my class that have offers and have committed. I want to go to this camp and let people know who I am. I want to let them know I can play for them and be the best kicker possible.”
What are you goals for the camp?
“My goals are to win the camp. I want to be first in kickoffs, be dominate on field goals, and to put my name out there to let everyone know that no matter my size or where I am from I can play for them and be their kicker.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“I’m talking to TCU. I just came back from an unofficial there. I’ve been talking to them a lot. I’ve been talking to Houston and Duke a lot too. Those are the main ones that have shown the most interest lately.”
How did your visit to TCU go?
“It went really well. I have a friend who is a kicker there. I talked to the special teams coordinator there. TCU has a great atmosphere. The environment there and the facilities there are elite. It is an elite program. I loved it there. It was really cool.”
Do you have any other visits coming up?
“I know I will be taking a couple more after talking to different coaches about preferred walk-on offers. I’m talking to my family to schedule dates with these coaches.”
Which schools do you have preferred walk-on offers from so far?
“I have an offer from Army and preferred walk-on offers from Houston, SMU, and Duke.”
What is your cumulative GPA?
“3.56.”
What is your top score on the ACT or SAT?
“I have a 25 on the ACT.”
Are you playing any spring sports?
“No. I’m trying to avoid injury. I’m working out and kicking this spring. I’m staying in shape getting ready for the upcoming season.”
Regardless of how many offers you may receive, what are you looking for in a college program?
“I’m looking for a program that can give me a great education. I want a program where the coaches prioritize getting their players ready not only for the next level but help us develop into men. I want to graduate college with a different perspective and be more mature, a family man when I leave school. I want those coaches to be a good role model. I don’t have a ton of expectations.
“Chris Sailer has done a lot for me. I trust in what he says. I trust what he has to say about good or bad fits and at what level I can play and succeed at in college. The main thing is education and the level of play. I want to play against the best. I want to leave the program a better man.”
Blake, thanks for your time today and good luck at the camp.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: varsity news; Blake Mazza boots a field goal.
Photo credit: ChrisSailerKicking.com; Blake Mazza at a Chris Sailer camp.
Photo credit: Mazza family; Blake Mazza at TCU.