Top 35 Plays of 2015: #6 - Trevor Daniel’s Big Punt

The number 6 play in our countdown to determine the best plays of Tennessee’s 2015 season is Trevor Daniel’s big punt against Georgia.

The last starter to be named in fall camp was punter Trevor Daniel. The walk-on had competed throughout the entire offseason with Maryland transfer Nate Renfro and true freshman Tommy Townsend, and was named the starter the week of Tennessee’s season opener against Bowling Green.

With Matt Darr off to the NFL to start with the Dolphins and an uncertain starter in 2015, many Vol fans were concerned about the punting position headed into the season. But once Daniel won the starting job, he ended any doubts. Daniel had one of the greatest seasons in Tennessee history, which is saying something considering all the great punters who have come through Knoxville.

With an average of 45.7 yards per punt, Daniel set a Tennessee record (min. 50 punts). Out of his 60 punts, 25 of them landed inside the twenty yard line, while 22 travelled over 50 yards.

One punt however, will be remembered forever.

With 1:48 left in the game the Vols led the Georgia Bulldogs 38-31, but were forced to punt on a fourth-and-one. With such a close game and little time remaining, this punt would be a critical play for the sake of field position.

Daniel could not have placed this punt any better. The ball landed on the 11 yard line, bounced to the 1, and then took a (fortunate) bounce out of bounds at the one inch line.

This is legitimately the best punt I have ever seen. At a critical time in a close game Daniel came up clutch and put the ball in the perfect spot. As seen by a play we looked at earlier this week, the 20 yards the Vols saved by avoiding a touchback would prove critical to a Tennessee victory.

You can read previous installments of this series by clicking below:

Play #35 - Evan Berry’s Pick Six

Play #34 - Preston Williams’ First Touchdown

Play #33 - LaDarrell McNeil’s Comeback

Play #32 - Malik Foreman’s Interception

Play #31 - Josh Dobbs and the Sweep

Play #30 - The Speed Option

Play #29 - Alvin Kamara’s First Touchdown

Play #28 - Jalen Hurd’s Big Hit

Play #27 - Dobbs to Smith

Play #26 - The Jump Pass

Play #25 - Dobbs to Malone