The avid Tiger fans in Baton Rouge love Brad Wing. He is a verifiable sensation. Not for many years now have the Tigers had a kicker of his quality. For an Australian, LSU punter Brad Wing has turned out to be quite the All-American. Now a third-year sophomore, Wing easily could turn pro after only his second season of college football.
Confident but not cocky, Wing grins bashfully without answering when asked about realizing the NFL dream that his father, David, briefly chased with the Detroit Lions two decades ago, then changes the subject to his more immediate goals. “There are two things on my mind right now,” Wing said. “The first one is a national championship, and then I really want to win the Ray Guy Award.For a personal achievement, I really want to be there in Orlando to compete and win the Ray Guy Award for the best punter of the year.”
Wing’s range, accuracy and versatility as a punter were honed playing Australian Rules Football. He was named First-Team AP All-American and a Ray Guy semifinalist in 2011, when he averaged 44.4 yards per punt. He can punt with both legs, and is as adept at hitting short, accurate end-over-end punts as he is booming spirals. After missing LSU’s opener with a slight hamstring pull, Wing returned a week later, showing no less pop in his left foot. Brads’ family has moved from Melbourne, Australia to Baton Rouge.
His first punt traveled 62 yards before rolling out of bounds at the Huskies’ 4-yard line. He finished with three punts for an average of 54.3 yards.
Wing was also the guy who successfully pulled off a fake punt in the 2011 and ran the ball himself into the end zone only to have the play called back for excessive celebration by Wing. He raised both elbows up about 6 inches when he was still about 10 yards from the goal line and clearly in the clear. Big Deal! It was one of the most ridiculous calls in the history of the SEC but Brad just blew it off and went on about his business which is punting the ball out of bounds inside the opponent’s 5 yard line. Oh yes, and at that he is a master.
All of Louisiana is hoping that Brad Wing will stay at LSU until he graduates and then go on to a brilliant career in the NFL.
