2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Aaron Bates P #18

 Expectation: All Big Ten Punter  Height:  6’  Weight: 198#  2010 Eligibility: Senior  EXP: 3 Letters  Status: SN Pre Season

 

Young Mr. Bates is the best punter in the Big Ten with the potential to be the best in the nation. Photo courtesy of MSU SID

Expectation:Â All Big Ten Punter

 

Height:  6’

 

Weight:Â 198#

 

2010 Eligibility:Â Senior

 

EXP:Â 3 Letters

 

Status:Â SN Pre Season All Big Ten Punter

 

Strengths: What can’t Bates do well would be easier. Let’s look at two examples from last year of what he does well. In the Alamo Bowl in the first quarter at the MSU 33, he had a punt that hung in the air for an AMAZING five plus seconds and the Red Raiders had to fair catch at their own 15. Bates has what is better described as a howitzer rather than a leg. He can boom the ball with great hang-time; the first is of no value without the second. That hang-time allows his teammates to get downfield to force a fair catch or to get a quick tackle.

 

Against Montana State in the first quarter with 11:50 on the clock the Spartans had a fourth and four. Not a big deal. Bates booms a 55-yard punt with a five second hang time and once again bails his team out.

 

He has accuracy that is phenomenal and will get a chance in the NFL. I said when he came to MSU in Mark Dantonio’s first class that he was one of the stars, and he has done nothing, but make me look smarter than I am.

 

Weakness: Last season there was a time when Mark Dantonio admitted to Spartan Nation that Bates was struggling with confidence. Bates, like most people who have worked hard to develop their craft at a high level, has to learn that not everything can be perfect.

 

He can have a great punt and get a touchback and get mad that it wasn’t inside the three instead of the six. That plagued him at times last year. In my opinion, Bates is a better punter when he is having fun and not trying to out think himself. Academically, he is brilliant and off the field he is mild-mannered and a real gentleman. He needs to think less at times, enjoy the game he loves, and let his natural ability that he has tirelessly developed work its magic.

 

Final Analysis: Aaron is a super person and a super punter. He is a star with pro potential. He loves the game and is very good at it. I expect him to think less and enjoy more of 2010. That isn’t good for opponents.

 

Next up: TE Garrett Celek