Interview: Two-Time Hawaii All-State Kicker Kyler Halvorsen Talks 53-Yarder and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
As do-everything high school kickers go, there are few if any that can match what Kyler Halvorsen has done on the field. The Class of 2021 recruit handles all the kicking duties for Kaiser High School lighting up opposing Hawaii squads along the way. All the hard work is paying off along the recruiting trail with seven offers extended and interest pouring in from all divisions and all across the mainland.
Last season on kickoffs, Halvorsen produced 47 touchbacks off 64 attempts averaging 72.3 yards per boot with 10 going through the uprights taking away opportunities for field position and returns. During his junior campaign, he was a perfect 41-of-41 on extra points and hit true on 10 field goals with a long of 53-yards. For a 4.5-star rated kicker (Chris Sailer), his punting is impressive as well. The two-time All-State kicker averaged 42.3 yards per punt with a long of 65.
In a first-look interview, Halvorsen kicked at the RNG Lab going over his talents and wide-open recruiting process.
Interview
Kyler, no other way to say it, but your kicking talents are very impressive. Let’s start off with the NFL level field goal you booted in a game. If you will, set this up for us: who was it against, what was going on in the game at that time, and from about what distance would that kick have been good from?
We were playing Pac 5, it was right before halftime, and we were far away from a first down. My coach asked if I could hit a 53-yarder, and I said yes. I think it would have been good from 59 to 60 yards.
Looks like it. How far have you kicked one through in practice?
My farthest is 65 yards.
Impressive. Now, let’s back up, how did you develop your leg strength as a kicker over the years?
Most of my leg power comes from playing soccer. Playing soccer my whole life and hitting the soccer ball and football at the right spot has helped. I have figured out the technique in football thanks to soccer.
Your soccer talents are next level as well. What position do you play in soccer and what honors have you received?
For soccer, I play forward. My awards, I was Scoring Live All-State, Hawaii first team forward, No. 2 scoring in Hawaii with 14 goals and nine assists, and Hawaii East leading scorer.
You have some wheels on you from playing soccer, maybe the fastest go on the football roster. What’s your best 40-yard dash time?
4.49.
Do you have collegiate interests and/or offers for soccer?
I have interest in soccer, but I have focused on football.
When did you start playing football?
I have been playing football my whole life. I have been a two- sport athlete my whole life going from one sport to the other since 10- or 12-years-old.
What kicking duties do you handle for the Cougars?
Everything.
How have you developed your skillset as a field goal kicker?
Most of it came from my dad, he’s been my coach. He’s helping me get my game up every step of the way. We kick about three to four times a week. He works with me on game scenarios, different angles, and places I would kick from during a game. We go over how to play the wind too. The wind comes into effect on many different fields.
This offseason we have worked to fine-tune my mechanics with my dad teaching me how to get better height on the ball and how to draw a kick or how to punch a kick through a strong head wind. We’ve also worked kicking against crosswinds and how to adapt to harsh angles. My dad videos my kicks, sometimes in slow motion, going over my mechanics from shoulders facing straight to the uprights, plant foot in right place, hip rotation, back swing and follow through and head placement.
If the 53-yard field goal was not a great sign of your leg strength, your kickoffs help paint the picture even more. What is your average kickoff length?
My average last season was 72.3 yards.
For a kicker, your punt average is really high. What is your secret when switching swings in such a critical moment in a game?
The thing I think about is trusting my technique and swing. I don’t overthink it and I do what feels right.
How many college football offers do you have?
I have seven offers.
Halvorsen’s Offer Sheet: Culver-Stockton, Benedictine, Olivet Nazarene, Pacific University, Pacific Lutheran, and Whittier
Which Division I programs are showing interest?
The D-I programs showing interest are Cal, San Diego State, Oregon State, Syracuse, Hawaii, Fresno State, Butler, Wyoming, Virginia Tech, and Temple.
When your time comes to make a decision on the best place for you in college, what will inform that decision?
It has to do with the atmosphere, the athletics, the leadership and the family style feel of the program. All of that comes into effect when choosing a school for me. It is not as much about the location but the atmosphere around it.
Kyler, it was great getting time in with you today. I am looking forward to seeing all that you will accomplish during your senior season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Halvorsen family; Kyler Halvorsen
Photo credit: KHON; Kyler Halvorsen