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NAU Lumberjacks kicker Matt Myers (Photo by Sarah Hamilton)
Senior kicker Matt Myers has made 32 of his 43 field goal attempts in his college career. He is a preseason All-American selection and one of the top kickers in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Lumberjack was able to catch up with the California native after a recent practice where we discussed his habits, nominations to award lists and his very premature Super Bowl teams.
The Lumberjack: Before you set up [to kick], you look up to the sky. What is that all about?
Matt Myers: Its to center-up, relax a little bit. Find a high point to aim at.
LJ: Any other superstitions like that?
MM: No. Just everyday life.
LJ: You’re on the Fred Mitchell Watch List. What does that mean to you?
MM: It is a big honor. There’s great kickers on that list already and the guy that won it last year is a tremendous kicker. The names that have came off that list in the past 15 to 20 years is tremendous.
LJ: Three years ago you transferred from Washington State. Why did you choose NAU?
MM: Definitely the best opportunity. I love it up here in Flagstaff. A lot slower pace than growing up in California.
LJ: What was that whole process like?
MM: I’m the type of guy to be going different places. When I finally got to Flagstaff, I knew it was the best fit for me. The team here was more welcoming than the team in Washington State. Everyone was much more personable.
LJ: What have you seen so far from the team as a whole?
MM: The team’s really came together. We’ve definitely formed a brotherhood and that’s something we haven’t had in the past. There’s no niches on the team, no problems.
LJ: How do you handle being a kicker and being on the sidelines most of the game?
MM: I just stay plugged into the game. When we get into a certain range, just start preparing mentally.
LJ: When you practice and you’re teammates are yelling, screaming, just trying to distract you, what’s that like?
MM: It’s definitely good practice. It helps me out a lot. It’s entertaining too.
LJ: Who’s idea was that?
MM: It was Coach Souers.
LJ: What position would you want to play besides kicker?
MM: I’d probably say linebacker. I love watching linebackers. Its awesome to watch them. It looks fun.
LJ: You ever try to be a linebacker during practice?
MM: Well, [punter] Drew [Zamora] and I will get in there on scout [team] and mess around with no pads and just [give] the guys some laughs.
LJ: What sport would you play if you weren’t playing football right now?
MM: Probably soccer. I played soccer for the majority of my life. Translating over to kicking its where we came from.
LJ: What is the biggest kick you’ve hit in your career?
MM: Definitely two years ago against Montana. We had a 47-yard field goal with somewhere around four seconds left to send it to overtime.
LJ: Throughout the world, who’s the person you would want to meet and why?
MM: Probably Mason Crosby. Would love to sit down and talk to him and find out what his workouts are like.
LJ: What’s your early, early Super Bowl prediction?
MM: I’m a Packers fan, so I’ve got to go with Green Bay.
LJ: But playing who?
MM: I’d probably say the Patriots or the Ravens.
LJ: Those seem like pretty safe picks, huh? No wild guesses like the Broncos?
MM: No, don’t even mention them.
