For D3 senior kickers whose schools will fall short of the playoffs this month, Saturday is their last opportunity to add to their highlight reel ahead of next year's NFL training camps. For those on playoff-bound squads, it's a glorious chance to show their cool under pressure and to make their case for a chance at the big time.
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As the Division III season winds down and the playoffs ramp up, here are five placekickers deserving of attention from National Football League scouts.
We also want to hear from you so vote below and let us know who you think has the best chances. The poll will close this Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Eastern/6 a.m. Pacific.
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Andrew Fabry — Albion
[credit]Albion Athletics[/credit]
The senior kicker with the highest field goal percentage belongs to Andrew Fabry of Albion. The 6-1 stud has hit 10 of 11 kickers this year (.909%), and his best effort came against Alma when he booted three through the uprights, including a pair in overtime.
He's already amassed 266 points during his four-year career, and he could add to that total since the Britons could find themselves in the playoffs if they up their mark to 7-3 on Saturday with a victory over Olivet.
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Charles Coccia — Washington-St. Louis
Hot on Fabry's heels is Charles Coccia of Washington-St. Louis. The 5-10 senior from Marquette, Michigan, is 8 of 9 (.889%) on the season and 27 of 29 on point after conversions. His best performance came during a 44-21 rout at North Park as he accounted for 14 points on 3 of 3 field goals and a perfect 5 for 5 on extra points.
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Zach Bednarowicz — Allegheny
[credit]Allegheny Athletics[/credit]
Bednarowicz is an impressive 12 of 14 on the season to go along with 24 PATs converted out of 26 attempts. He also hit a season-long 41-yard boot during a 2-for-2 FG performance against Ohio Wesleyan back in September.
The Allegheny model of consistency will get one final chance to add to his stats Saturday at home to Oberlin.
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Cole Austin — Coast Guard
[credit]Coast Guard[/credit]
Kudo to Coast Guard's Cole Austin for not only having the fourth-best mark for field goals per game at 1.33 but doing so with a grueling military school schedule that demands more from its student-athletes than your typical college.
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Jake Tanner — DePauw
[credit]DePauw Athletics[/credit]
Our list of stellar senior D3 kickers wouldn't be complete without the nation's leader, Jake Tanner. The DePauw standout leads all of Division III with 14 field goals converted, and he's also tops in field goals made per game at 1.56.
The Economics major from Zionsville, Indiana, is also a perfect 26 of 26 on extra points this season and 66 of 69 for his career as the Tigers prepare for the season finale at Wabash.
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