Tyler Gaus, the punter for the UNM football team, is entering his senior season. The Daily Lobo caught up with Gaus to see if kickers get the respect they deserve on a football team, what he thinks his chances of playing professionally are, and what other positions he would love to play.
Daily Lobo: What is a typical day like for you?
Tyler Gaus: Relax in the morning, come out here an hour before practice, go to the training room, then get out here and start getting a lot of kicks.
DL: What would you rather do, tackle a guy on a punt return, or shank a punt?
TG: I would much rather tackle a guy. You got to have some kind of pride.
DL: What is your favorite class?
TG: I don't really like class that much.
DL: If you had the chance to change anything in your life what would it be?
TG: I would have started playing football younger. I didn't really start punting until the point where I thought I could go to college till I was a senior in high school.
DL: Besides kicker, what position would you like to play?
TG: In high school I was a tight end and linebacker. I really miss that a lot. Being a kicker, you only get noticed if you screw up or do something really great. I really miss that aspect of being out there with everyone and hitting.
DL: Where do you see yourself in three years?
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TG: Hopefully in the NFL. That would be nice.
DL: Do you ever feel underappreciated as a kicker?
TG: I wouldn't say so. I came in to this and a lot of kickers are seen as outcasts, but not on this team.
DL: What is it going to take for you to make an NFL roster?
TG: Forty-five yards and 4.25 (seconds) of hangtime. I think I have a lot of potential in pooch punting and short field punting. I need to get my consistency better as far as punting the long ball.
- Daniel S. Archuleta
