STANFORD, Calif. – Junior punter Jake Bailey was a standout for Stanford last season and hasn't missed a beat during fall camp. That was apparent Sunday during the second and final open scrimmage of the preseason, when he displayed power, hang time and accuracy.
"I think he has a chance to be one of the best pro-style punters in college football this year," said special teams coordinator Pete Alamar.
Last season, the 6-foot-2 Bailey recorded the fourth-best average in school history at 43.52 yards and was All-Pac-12 honorable mention. Of his 50 attempts, 13 carried 50 yards or further and 22 were downed inside the 20.
Bailey is on the Ray Guy Award watch list for the second straight year, and may also handle kickoff duties. In 2016, he posted 44 touchbacks on 71 boots.
Jake Bailey named to @RayGuyAward watch list for nation's top collegiate punter. ????#GoStanford #PuntersArePeopleToo pic.twitter.com/glCCNnsTzZ
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) July 12, 2017
Leg fatigue in games is not a concern.
"Usually what happens is if you're kicking off a lot that day, you're not punting a lot," Alamar said. "If you're punting a lot, you're not kicking off a lot.
"There's a chance he might have to swing at it 10 or 12 times in a game. You hope he has nine kickoffs, a couple punts and call it day. He trains to be able to handle it."
Alamar has also been pleased with the performance of sophomore placekicker Jet Toner, who is in the running to take over for Conrad Ukropina.
"He's had a really solid camp," said Alamar. "The last three or four days, he's really hit the ball well."
Alamar is firming up his kick returners after losing Christian McCaffrey and has many qualified candidates.
"I think we've got a handful of guys that can do either," he said. "We've been working out five or six and will drop it down to two or three this week. We'll see who comes out and shines."
Frontrunners to return punts include junior wide receiver Trenton Irwin and junior wide receiver Jay Tyler. Junior running back Bryce Love and Irwin will be given long looks returning kickoffs.
David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, was pleased with the second week of practice. The team takes final exams for the summer academic quarter this week, and leaves Saturday night for Australia, where it opens the season Aug. 26 in Sydney against Rice.
"That's what I was commending them on," Shaw said of the effort and focus. "I was really nervous about having the kind of training camp we need to prepare ourselves for the real grind. The season's hard. Once we start, every week is going to be difficult. So you have to prepare with a tough and physical training camp. We fought and scrapped and got a lot done."
Sunday's 90-minute scrimmage at sun-drenched Elliott Field attracted about 1,200 spectators. Afterward, players signed autographs at Maples Pavilion.
A full officiating crew was on hand to oversee the proceedings.
Among the offensive highlights were a leaping catch on the sideline by Irwin, and a tough scoring grab over two defenders by freshman tight end Colby Parkinson that ignited the Cardinal sideline.
Quarterbacks Keller Chryst, Ryan Burns and K.J. Costello performed well, as did the tight ends.
"I'm excited about our entire tight end group." said Shaw. "They all made plays."
Costello made several good throws, hitting sophomore Kaden Smith in stride.
Once again, freshman wide receiver/running back Connor Wedington was active, shaking loose from two defenders on a swing pass.
Bruising senior fullback Daniel Marx found the end zone on a short run, and will play a key role for the Cardinal running game.
Defensively, senior cornerback Alijah Holder made a nice pass breakup against Isaiah Brandt-Sims. The linebackers and secondary made the quarterbacks work hard for every completion.
"We're two deep at every position," Shaw said of his defensive backfield. "It's an exciting group to watch, because not only are they talented, they work and they study and they have great camaraderie. I can't wait to watch those guys play."
A handful of players did not participate due to bumps and bruises, but most are expected back for Tuesday's practice.
Love is excited to be in the mix among a talented group of returning running backs, and is not putting undue pressure on himself to replace McCaffrey.
"The big thing is just concentrating on the task at hand," he said. "Focus on the things you can control. I'm ready to go out and do my 1/11th and give it my all."
McCaffrey has been a sounding board.
"He still finds time to check in and see how everybody is," said Love. "That's just a testament to him; he's an open book. Any questions we have, he's there for us."
Love has been impressed by many of the young players, including Wedington and wide receiver Osiris St. Brown.
"I've seen people like Connor and Osiris really grind and work," he said. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what they can do."
Love said the coaching staff is pushing for a quick start.
"We have really focused on starting fast," said Love. "Beyond that, going 1-0 every week is our big thing."
Fifth-year senior offensive lineman David Bright said the unit is starting to click.
"We have a bunch of guys that can play and are versatile," he said.
The top priority in camp has been pass protection.
"Our goal every game is to keep the passer clean," said Bright.
Keep tunneling.#GoStanford #TunnelWorkersUnion pic.twitter.com/jn0MsXBMhK
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) June 19, 2017
Quotable ... "We're all super excited to go to Australia. It's a great opportunity." - David Bright