CULLOWHEE — The sight of a football team’s punter trotting onto the field is more likely to elicit groans and grumbling than a celebratory cheer.
Seasoned fans, however, know that a perfectly placed blast off the toe of a talented punter can change the complexion of a game.
That’s what Ian Berryman has done for Western Carolina the past three years. And while school children rarely rattle off punters when naming their favorite football players, pro scouts and national publications recognize the value of a skilled drop-kicker – and Berryman is on their radar.
He was named to College Football America 2018 Yearbook’s Football Championship Subdivision Starting Lineup for the second consecutive year, his third preseason All-America honor after HERO Sports and Athlon Sports. As WCU neared its Saturday start of preseason camp, Berryman acknowledged his appreciation for the recognition but said his is not an individual accomplishment.
“It means a lot, being All-Southern Conference and All-American; it’s a dream come true,” Berryman said. “But I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this without my teammates: Our long snapper Charles (McDonough) getting the ball back to me, and everyone blocking for me. So I really think it’s an award for our whole punt team.”
NFL teams 'know his name'
WCU coach Mark Speir said NFL scouts are familiar with Berryman.
“If he lives up to his potential, there’s no question he’ll be in an NFL camp next year,” Speir said. “(Scouts) are all asking about him now. When they were here last season looking at Detrez (Newsome, undrafted free agent signee of the L.A. Chargers) and Keion (Crossen, a seventh-round pick of the New England Patriots), they’re always wanting to know who’s next year. They already knew Ian’s name; I didn’t have to tell them about him.”
A student of the game and his craft, Berryman has been punting since middle school. But the Marietta, Georgia, native said he didn’t dedicate himself to the fourth-down role until midway through his senior year at Fellowship Christian School.
He now studies all aspects of the craft and has been trained by former Clemson punter Dawson Zimmerman – whom Berryman credits with ”developing me from the ground up” – and ex-UNC and Minnesota Vikings’ punter Dan Orner, who helped refine his form.
On the rare occasions when there’s a glitch in his technique, Berryman consults video and sends it to Zimmerman and Orner who analyze his form and offer advice.
“That gives me instant feedback on what’s wrong and what I need to work on the next day,” said Berryman, who also credits his father, Scott Berryman, and kicking coach Brandon Kornblue with helping him become successful. “I try to always have constant feedback throughout the year.”
Key to success: 'one-step drill'
During the season, Berryman said the most effective drill he uses is the one-step drill. He starts with his kicking foot forward, takes one step with his left foot and then unloads on the ball to help with alignment and any issue he might be having.
“I mainly focus on not over-kicking (during the season),” Berryman said. “Usually Tuesday is the day I’ll work the most. I’ll probably hit 40 or 50 balls, not counting one-steps. On Wednesday, I’ll hit five before practice and then whatever they want me to do during punt period. Thursday, I’ll do 35 or 40. … So I really try to focus on not punting too much in season.”
Though he ha’s played in front of huge stadiums at places like UNC and South Carolina, his most memorable experience so far was against Division II Mars Hill.
It was his first college start.
"I remember the Friday before the game when I was named the starter,” he said. “It was a dream come true … I remember it was a night game; and I remember -- I think it was Detrez (Newsome) threw a halfback pass to Spearman (Robinson for a 75-yard touchdown). The next possession after that, I got to go in and punt. The ball was on the 35-yard line … and I couldn’t have hit it any better. It was the most memorable part of my career because it got everything started. It fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing in college.”
His career only went up from there.
A consensus first-team All-Southern Conference selection, he ranked fifth in the Football Championship Subdivision with an average of 44.45 yards per punt in 2017. Twenty-six of his punts were downed inside an opponent’s 20-yard-line, and only six of his punts were touchbacks.
Among his postseason accolades were second-team All-American honors by the Associated Press and Phil Steele.
Speir said that if Berryman continues his upward trajectory, his senior season may not be his last as a punter.
Berryman reminds Speir of the Detroit Lions' Sam Martin, who punted for Appalachian State during Speir’s tenure there as an assistant coach.
“I always said Sam had been the best I’d been around until Ian," Speir said. "Now it’s hard to say when you get to that level who is better. Ian is right there. I feel like he’s an NFL punter.
"That’s such a huge weapon to have on your team because he can change field position no matter where you are. Even if he’s standing out there with his heels in the end zone, he can boom a 60-, 65-yarder. Now you’re sending the defense out on the field without their backs against the wall.
“He’s a great person, a heck or a student, a true student-athlete and a weapon on our football team.”
