PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – No NCAA kicker has been more accurate from over 50 yards with the number of attempts than Pitt's Alex Kessman. With the NFL Draft approaching, Kessman is trying to show he can be more consistent from inside 50.
It's really a crazy stat that Kessman was 12 of 18 from 50-plus, most of those kicks outdoors. However, 57-77 of field goal attempts shorter than 50 yards and 134-138 on extra points. He has improved after hitting just 57% his freshman year to hit a career-high 79% overall last season.
Another anomaly with Kessman is that he gets better as the weather gets worse. The right-footed senior hit for only 47% of field goals in September in his career, but made 83% in November and 82% in December. He also only missed one extra point in his career in November and December.
He also kicks in one of the toughest conditions in all of football, dealing with the winds and often bad natural turf at the place they share with the Steelers.
"Heinz Field is notorious for being one of the hardest stadiums to kick in," Kessman said. "With the river and the wind is crazy, the ground is pretty tough and gets beat up. It definitely gives me an advantage."
"I'm a cold weather kicker," the Michigan native said. "I have crazy games in the rain and the wind and I don't think the environment affects me as much as southern kickers. It does make a difference for me and for teams looking."
Kessman is also working on some mechanics and trying to slow himself down at times. He believes he was able to show that during Pitt's Pro Day in March.
It's hard to predict the job market or draft potential for kickers, but Kessman dealt with unpredictability almost every kick at Pitt.
"I think I have the ability to be an elite kicker in the NFL," Kessman said.
