Clemson has Leader in Kicking Competition

CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says he does have a leader right now in the kicking competition between upperclassman Robert Gunn III and freshman Nolan Hauser.

At the moment, Swinney says Hauser has a slight lead.

“They kind of go back and forth,” Swinney said following Tuesday’s practice. “Robert was ahead the first couple of days and who is ever up after each practice, that is who goes out there first.”

From what the media saw in days one and two of fall camp, Hauser had a little bit of an edge. Gunn missed a few kicks on Day 1 during the media’s time to watch practice, while Hauser also missed a couple of kicks and did not fair much better.

On Day 2, with the media watching again, Hauser was a perfect 5-for-5, including one from 41 yards out, while Gunn was 4-for-5 and made a 43-yard field goal. The media has not been invited to watch the last three practices, though Wednesday’s practice is open to the media for the first few periods.

“They are competing. They were right there together and then Hauser went out there first today and I think he finished first today, so we will see how it goes,” Swinney said. “We are going to let them compete and we will let it all work itself out.”

Clemson’s placekicking duties were a big question going into fall camp last week. Gunn won the job last year, but he struggled to start the season, missing two kicks in the Tigers’ loss at Duke.

He opened the year making just one of his four kicks, which led to Swinney bringing back graduate Jonathan Weitz to take over as the starting kicker. It was later revealed that Gunn was suffering from an injury, which led to the misses.

Hauser enrolled at Clemson in January and has been battling Gunn for the starting job ever since.

“Both of them have been battling hard,” Swinney said. “Hauser ran out there first today and I think he finished the day still in first. One of them was 3-for-3 and the other was 2-for-3, so we will let them keep battling.”