(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)
If it weren’t for the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael Turk probably would not be back at Arizona State punting for the Sun Devils in 2020.
After declaring for the NFL Draft in January and raising eyebrows at the combine in February by bench-pressing 25 reps of 225 pounds, he did not hear his name called throughout the three days of the draft.
But because the pandemic shut down any in-person workouts to try and sign as an undrafted free agent, the NCAA granted his two years of eligibility back.
A Ray Guy Award semifinalist for the most outstanding collegiate punter in his first season at ASU, there aren’t many feelings for him to describe returning to Tempe after going undrafted.
“I’m just thankful to be back, honestly,” Turk said. “It was a little bit crazy because I was thinking after the draft, ‘Oh man. There’s a real possibility I might never punt in a game again.’”
After undergoing the entire draft process, Turk was told that the two main things for him to work on were “directional punting and consistency.” He said he does not regret his decision of declaring.
“It wasn’t hasty in terms of me making [the decision] in one day,” Turk said. “I really did pray about it and think about it. Obviously it didn’t go how I thought it was supposed to go but I know it went exactly how it was meant to.
“It was helpful in terms of me becoming a better punter and it did teach me some new things about punting and teach me some new things about myself that will help me prepare better for this season. I definitely got a lot of good out of it.”
Turk said it was about a month long process to file a waiver which involved himself writing a paper and detailing reasons why he should be granted his eligibility back to the NCAA.
Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum said that when he first learned about the NCAA’s ruling in favor of Turk, he was surprised.
“It was something that had never been done,” Slocum said, entering his sixth year with ASU. “On the other hand, the strangeness of what we’re all going through as a society has played a role in this. The NCAA made a fair decision in granting his eligibility back to him because he was not able to do some of the things necessary to enter the NFL.”
Turk is still fairly new to punting. He learned to punt after high school as he was recovering from an injury. His path to where he is now includes a one-year stop at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, about an hour and a half drive north of Philadelphia.
After setting the single-season record for punting average at Lafayette with 42.7 yards per attempt in 2017, he came to ASU and redshirted in 2018. The following season was his breakout year, leading the Pac-12 with 46 yards per punt attempt in 2019.
His special teams coach still believes he can reach another level in his game.
“There’s a lot to the punting game in terms of what type of ball you hit and where you hit the ball, the direction of the ball,” Slocum said. “I think he’s improved in all those areas and in his consistency.”
Turk said he will keep improving “until the day he stops punting”.
“Just being more deliberate in my approach….and reinforcing what I already knew,” Turk said. “Being compact with my steps and being more professional and making it look easy. Having a consistent approach to the ball and being able to get the job done every time.”
This year’s ASU punter situation is unique in that while Turk does return, left-footed graduate transfer Logan Tyler comes in as well from Florida State. Tyler is second all-time in Seminoles history with 8,879 punt yards over 209 career punts.
The Sun Devils will have two veteran punters at their disposal and it remains to be seen how both will be used. But so far, according to Turk, their chemistry has been solid during practice.
“We get along very well,” Turk said. “Logan is a great guy and athlete….He’s a good friend of mine now and it’s been good working with him.”
Turk will surely look to get a second chance in the NFL Draft, banking on a more normal Draft process in the future. As for this season though, Turk’s experience and punting abilities should only be benefits for the special teams unit in the shortened schedule.
“He did a good job for us last year,” head coach Herm Edwards said. “We’re fortunate to get him back this year and hopefully he can have another good year for us. He’s an impressive young man and he likes the weight room.”
