LSU placekicker Aeron Burrell has had a sharp season, made all the more impressive by the fact that he spent his offseason recovering from a fractured kneecap.
Coach Brian Kelly revealed Monday that Burrell suffered the injury but recovered in time to kick in LSU's season opener. And for the Tigers, it's important that he did: the freshman has booted a touchback on 37 of his 39 kickoffs so far this season.
Only three FBS teams have kicked more touchbacks than LSU.
"He's a weapon, obviously," Kelly said, "because you almost don't even have to worry about kickoff return, which clearly, we struggle with."
Last season, LSU got touchbacks on just 59% of its kickoffs. Opponents picked up an average of 21 yards on the 35 kicks the Tigers' coverage unit allowed them to return.
This year, LSU's opponents have combined for only 91 yards on four kickoff returns. Half of that yardage came on one run back in the season opener, a 46-yard return by Southern Cal star Zachariah Branch. Burrell made the tackle on that return, and it may have saved a touchdown.
Kelly said Monday that Burrell may kick field goals for LSU one day. The freshman needs to work on his accuracy, Kelly said, but he can split the uprights from 60 yards away in practice.
Starting LSU kicker Damian Ramos, the Southeastern Conference specialist of the week, has one year of eligibility left after this season.
"He's clearly gotten better and better and better as the year's gone on," Kelly said, "to where he's automatic."