By Zach Abolverdi / The Gainesville Sun
Florida signee Austin Hardin has only been a kicker for a short period of time, but he’s got long range with his leg.
After spending his middle-school years in Bolivia playing soccer for the youth national team, he showed up at Marist high school in Atlanta, Ga., and gave American football a shot.
“I’ve always had a really strong leg from the moment I first started kicking, which was around ninth grade,” Hardin said. “I came out for football tryouts and made a 55-yard kick. I was only 14 years old. Ever since then, I’ve been able to hit long field goals.”
Hardin hit them throughout his high school career, but he became a hot commodity in the recruiting world after his 59-yard game-winning field goal as a junior. He also made a 67-yarder at a Kohl’s kicking camp.
Hardin was the No. 1-ranked kicker by ESPN and an Under Armour All-American, although he had a rough performance in the game because he had the flu. But he is ready to bring those accolades with him to Gainesville and could be the second coming of current UF kicker Caleb Sturgis.
“We’re very similar kickers because both of us can hit those long field goals and have that leg strength,” Hardin said. “Caleb had a bunch of field goals that were over 50 yards this year, and so did I.
“It’s something that you’re gifted with and can really be useful, especially in field position on kickoffs. I’ve been told that I’ll be handling kickoff duties my freshman year, which is something I’ll be very strong in. Having the staff trust that you’re gonna be able to do it is pretty cool.”
This past season would have been Sturgis’ last had it not been for a 2010 back injury that resulted in a medical redshirt. Now Hardin has a year to learn from the Lou Groza Award finalist before taking over.
“Caleb getting the redshirt is actually something that ended up working in my favor,” Hardin said. “Being able to learn from him is going to help me a lot. What I really wanna work on with him is translating that leg strength into being accurate as a kicker. I think it’s something that can set you apart.”
