The punter is generally the most camouflaged player on the team. With average height and weight, the punter typically just blends in with the rest of the players on the sideline, waiting for a chance to enter the game and make a difference.
That is not the case for Baldwin Wallace University senior punter Matt Harmon.
Harmon has taken the initiative in his senior season to stand out. He has done this by not only his success on and off the field, but also the way he carries himself. Entering the season, Harmon has recorded a total of 93 punts, averaging 37.45 yards per punt. His career-best punt occurred last season when he booted the ball an astounding 72 yards.
With his efforts in the homecoming game last year against Ohio Northern University, Harmon was selected as the OAC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. He punted the ball four times in this game and averaged 47.2 yards per punt.
Only the flash of his footwear rivals these flashy statistics.
Harmon believes that he stands out from the rest of the punters in the conference not only because of his talent, but also the rare-colored Nike cleats he wears during each game.
“It has to be my nice salmon shoes,” Harmon said when referring to why he stands out.
The other stereotype that Harmon breaks is that punters usually are not viewed as being one of the most athletic players on the roster. Harmon strives to prove that wrong. When he is not studying to become a strength and conditioning trainer, he can be found in the gym working out.
His work ethic was shown in the first game of this season, during Harmon’s favorite play of his career. He called a fake punt on his own and ran the ball for a 17-yard gain.
“My goals are to win the Ohio Athletic Conference and to win a national championship,” Harmon said.
The former varsity baseball and basketball player at Canfield High School is also a member of the Baldwin Wallace University intramural basketball champion team.
Harmon’s focus is on the football season, but his competitive nature was shown when he said, “We want to win the intramural basketball championship again and defend our title!”
Much of his success at BW is owed to Harmon’s roommate, senior Mike Mangus, and teammate, senior Mike Stacchiotti.
Harmon said, “Both have helped me out in so many ways here at school and I appreciate everything they have done for me.”
Harmon will be making some noise this season in his mismatched brown, gold, and salmon uniform.
