Marshall Long’s college football career is sidelined — again.
The third-year punter from China Grove, N.C., announced via Instagram on Thursday that he has had another knee surgery. This will be the third such recovery for Long, who signed with the Bulldogs as a 3-star prospect and was considered one of the top punters in the nation. He did not say whether this latest setback will end his football career.
Long redshirted last season after serving as Georgia’s starting punter for most of his freshman season in 2016. He has a career punting average of 38.7 yards. Graduate transfer Cameron Nizalek won the job last season and averaged 45.0 yards on 61 punts.
Long’s medical procedure explains some of the Bulldogs’ recent moves. Georgia last week accepted the graduate transfer of former Murray State punter Landon Stratton. Georgia also signed Jake Camarda of Norcross in the 2018 recruiting class. Camarda is considered the No. 1 kicker/punter in the country, according to the Kohl’s kicker ratings. He’s rated a 3-star prospect and the No. 2 punter in America by 247Sports.com.
It’s unusual for any Power 5 team to have three specialists on scholarship. Long could apply for and likely would be granted a medical disqualification from the NCAA if he chooses to pursue it.
Long tried to make a go of it this spring. He punted three times for the Red squad in the G-Day game but averaged only 35.3 yards. Georgia used two other punters in the intrasquad scrimmage as walk-ons Bill Rubright (37.3 yards) and Michael D’Angola (37.0) handled punts for the Black team.
Long’s injuries have taken a toll on him mentally and physically, as his Instagram post details:
About the Author
