LSU’s new punter Bramblett brings proven talent to new school

Even for the most rabid LSU fans, January 12 this year may have passed as just another day leading up to national signing day.

Unbeknownst to the Purple and Gold nation, an important starter for the 2022 squad was coming aboard that day.

Brian Kelly welcomed the commitment of his former Notre Dame punter, Jay Bramblett. The graduate transfer is a vital part of what new LSU coach is building.

Bramblett decided to leave South Bend even before Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge.

“Being at Notre Dame with Coach Kelly and Coach (Brian) Polian was great. I reached out to them once I got into the transfer portal to let them know, if they have a need, I’d love to come play for them again. They gave me an opportunity to play there and now here.”

Bramblett was part of a crucial influx of college talent in the offseason. LSU ranks third nationally in transfer imports for the 2022 season after bringing aboard 16 key additions.

Bramblett, a Tuscaloosa, Alabama native, unsurprisingly grew up rooting for the Crimson Tide. As the No. 2 ranked punter in the 2019 class, he averaged 45.1 yards per punt as a prep senior. Bramblett considered offers from Missouri and Notre Dame, receiving interest from LSU, Penn State, Mississippi State and hometown Alabama. He opted for the Fightin’ Irish.

“I loved Notre Dame. It takes a special person to go there, to be a Notre Dame man. There is a lot that it entails. I didn’t think that it was necessarily me (but) I just felt like I needed a fresh re-start. It wound up working out well,” recalled Bramett.

Although Kelly’s reputation as a no-nonsense coach is well-known, he has a personable side to him as well. Kelly is a players’ coach who feels the pulse of the team. Despite his coach’s authoritative aura, Bramblett views him as a very approachable leader.

“Some people are afraid to speak to him. When you see him, he appears to be a large figure, very professional. When I first met him, we were talking about fishing. He’s very easy to talk to. I love Coach Kelly.”

Bramblett arrives at LSU with wealth of experience, maturity and leadership, along with first hand knowledge of the ehad coach’s expectations. Having played for Kelly, Bramblett has a perspective not shared by his current Tiger teammates.

“(Kelly) is al about us being the same person everyday. I’ve seen the same from him. We have a different group of guys here, but he wants us to live a certain way , be good guys, good players and have a brotherhood. He has that mindset.”

Kelly has overall game plan in mind as part of his much-ballyhooed “alignment.” Practice makes perfect, but the ideo of having a perfect practice is a lofty goal his sets for his program. It’s all part of the overall idea to do everything the right way all of the time.

“The guy has a process,” Bramblett explained, “We have a mission statement, a process we have to follow, things we are supposed to live by. He’s been very adamant about that. Us living that way, obviously, it’s a different application. One thing is be the same every day; consistency, be the same person every day. Keep a clean locker, be respectful, be a good person, be on time, do all the small things, take care of that. He’s won a lot of games. It’s not by mistake. It’s a process. He’s got a plan. He relays his plan to us very well.”

That concept clearly has benefitted the young punter in his college career to date. While at Notre Dame, Bramblett improved his average yards per punt every season culminating with a 43.1-yard average last year. He has received high praise from the experts in his field. Mike Huguenin from On3.com ranked Bramblett as the second best punting prospect in this season’s transfer portal. Chris SaIlor, owner of the prestigious Kicking Camp, describes Bramblett as a complete package as a punter.

“A great looking athlete with an explosive leg. Bramblett punts for distance and big hang time. He also shows the ability to hit punts 50-plus yards with five (second) hang time. He has great hands, his footwork is solid and he is one of the most consistent punters in the nation. He is a great competitor that punts with confidence,” Sailor raved.

Bramblett can flip the field with a long boot or place a pooch punt deep into the opponent’s territory. Plus, he could be considered a dual threat for the Tigers in a pinch. If Kelly ever chooses to pull off a trick play from punt formation, Bramblett is a real threat with the ball in his hands.

As a high school quarterback, the 6-foot-2, 202 pounder completed 68% of his tosses for 2,341 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior. In the 2020 season opener against Duke, Bramblett kept a drive alive with a fake punt, running 14 yards and a first down in a 27-13 Notre Dame win.

Bramblett will wear jersey # 19 at LSU, the same jersey number he donned for the Fightin’ Irish. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

Even though the three-year starter in South Bend sent 28 of his punts 50 yards or more, he’s looking to improve upon that at LSU due to the more ideal weather conditions and some new equipment.

“The ball flies better in warmer weather. The ball will go further and hang longer in this climate.”

LSU uses NIKE equipment compared to Notre Dame’s use of Adidas gear.

“The leather on a NIKE ball is the closest thing you can get to an NFL ball. Kickers are particular about certain things,” Bramblett stated while cracking a sly grin.

Another thing that makes him smile? The upgrade in cuisine at his new home back down south.

“It was a culture shock at Notre Dame. The food was subpar there, compared to here.”