Behind The Film: No. 1 Punter In 2024 Class & Gamecock Signee Mason Love

South Carolinas football program added a game changer in K/P Mason Love during the Early Signing Day period. What will he bring to Beamer Ball?

Mason Love, the top-rated punter in the 2024 class according to Kohl's Kicking, signed with the South Carolina Gamecocks roughly a month ago and will participate in Spring practice. Love was invited to and played in the Under Armour All-American Game, highlighting a senior year where he was selected as a second-team all-state punter in Missouri.

With South Carolina's deep history of developing great college kickers and punters, what will Mason bring to Pete Lembo's special teams units in Columbia?

Film Review

Mason Love is a punter who could be a tremendous asset in terms of flipping the field consistently, a vastly underrated part of the game that can determine the outcome of a matchup. He has shown the ability to pin opponents deep into their own territory, making life easier on his team's defense and allowing them to be more aggressive in their play-calling. Love averages around 4.5 seconds of hang time (from kick to initial contact with returner or field) on his punts and quickly gets the ball off his foot with no wasted movement.

Final Thoughts

Mason Love is a perfect fit for coach Lembo, who has made the special team unit for the Gamecocks not just fun to watch, but a crucial part of South Carolina's football identity. Love will likely have to gain a year of experience in a college weight room and training while learning from Kai Kroger. Still, it can also give Kroger some competition to push each other and allow them to continue perfecting their craft. 

Mason could also push for the Gamecocks' starting placekicker job this offseason, something Shane Beamer hinted at in his early signing day press conference back in December. Once Love's name is called, the film indicates he will be a consistent asset for the South Carolina special team's unit.

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