Rhys Dakin

Last updated

Rhys Dakin
Iowa HawkeyesNo. 9
Position Punter
ClassSophomore
Major Sport and Recreation Management
Personal information
Born: (2004-12-07) 7 December 2004 (age 20)
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career history
College
  • Iowa (2024–present)
High school Mazenod (Mulgrave, Victoria)
Career highlights and awards

Rhys Dakin (born 7 December 2004) is an Australian gridiron football punter for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Contents

Early life

Dakin attended Mazenod College in Mulgrave, Victoria, after which he attended ProKick Australia and later committed to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes. [1]

College career

Dakin entered the 2024 season as Iowa's starting punter as a true freshman. [2] [3] In week 4 of the 2024 season, he landed three punts inside the 20 yard-line in a victory over Minnesota, and was named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week. [4] Dakin finished the 2024 season with 64 punts for an average of 44.1 yards per punt, with 29 being inside the opponents 20-yard line, 16 traveling over 50 yards, with just five being touchbacks, and only 12.5% of his punts being returned. He was named a freshman all-American by FWAA and being named second-team all-Big Ten. [5] [6] Heading into the 2025 season, he is projected to be one of the nation's top punters, being projected as the Ray Guy Award winner by CBS Sports. [7]

References

  1. Steppe, John (17 August 2024). "Rhys Dakin brings his own personality, punting prowess to Iowa". The Gazette. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  2. Bohenkamp, John. "Rhys Dakin welcomes 'crazy' levels of punter love from Hawkeyes fans". OurQuadCities.com. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  3. Steppe, John. "Rhys Dakin with 'big shoes to fill' as Iowa's next punter, works to chart his own path". The Gazette. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  4. Steppe, John. "Iowa football's field-flipping ability extends beyond Rhys Dakin's booming punts". The Gazette. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  5. Steppe, John. "Iowa punter Rhys Dakin already showing improvement after impressive freshman season". The Gazette. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  6. Kakert, Tom. "Rhys Dakin named Freshman All American". HawkeyeReport. On3.com. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  7. Cooper, Ben. "Iowa Hawkeyes Punter Projected to Win Major Award". Iowa Hawkeyes on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 1 June 2025.