In 2022, we witnessed the second coming of “Beamer Ball” at the South Carolina Gamecocks, as Shane Beamer reestablished a principle made famous by his father and relied on sensational special teams prowess to return the program to college football relevancy. At the heart of their success lies Kai Kroeger, the South Carolina punter who truly puts the special into special teams.
Kai Kroeger Puts the Special Into South Carolina Special Teams
“Obviously, this was my most memorable season playing football throughout my whole career,” Kroeger reflects on the success of a junior campaign littered with individual accolades and standout moments during a sit-down with College Football Network. “For me, it was really important to see not only my growth through some adversity but also that everyone on the team rallied together.”
A first-team All-American by multiple outlets and a first-team All-SEC honoree from the media, but more importantly, the coaches that had to face off against him in the conference, Kroeger put together one of the finest seasons, perhaps the finest season, seen by a South Carolina punter in program history.
The accolades are impressive. The statistical success even more so. In the season-opener against Georgia State, Kroeger nailed a career-long 79-yard punt, setting the tone for a standout season despite missing fall camp with a foot injury. Only three other punters in the nation bettered that mark last season.
The Gamecock game-changer led the SEC with 46.1 yards per punt, ranking fifth in the country while setting the second-best single-season mark in South Carolina program history. Heading into the 2023 college football season, the history major is acutely aware that he’s within striking distance of etching his name into the program record books for career punt average.
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“I think when it comes to personal goals, that’s definitely close to the top of the list,” Kroeger explained. “I think that’s probably something that every kid dreams of, having their name cemented in the school’s history. But, I kind of think of it as, I’m only going to get there if I do the little things right and build up through the offseason so the season can go the best way it can.”
Describing the accolades from 2022 as “nice to have”, creating program history is just one of the goals left to tick off for his college football career. While admitting that he’s not in the physical shape that would have seen him make the leap to the NFL following his standout junior campaign, those goals helped to bring him back inside the walls of Williams-Brice stadium.
They include winning the Mortell Award as the best holder in the nation. Kroeger isn’t just a standout punter. His impact on the South Carolina special teams unit includes ensuring the success of placekicker Mitch Jeter. Yet, the Ray Guy Award for top punter in the nation is also on the list of goals. Voices inside and outside of the program bemoaned his snub as a finalist last fall.
“Obviously, I would have liked to have been a finalist and had a chance to win the award,” Kroeger pragmatically reflects on what others have deemed a snub. “But, I kinda use it as motivation, and it’s another thing I’m striving for. If I have that season where I’m worthy enough to be chosen, then I know I helped the team more so than I have done in the past.”
Kroeger Embodies South Carolina Football Under Beamer
There is a sincerity in his words as he talks about being “proud” of the winner — Rutgers punter and NFL Draft prospect Adam Korsak — that speaks to Kroeger’s character. Moreover, his reflection on the award recognizes the importance of team contribution over personal statistical success, embodying what makes the South Carolina punter special on and off the field.
In many respects, Kroeger embodies everything that South Carolina football is becoming under head coach Beamer. There are many stars on the football roster, but no one man shines brighter than the rest, and no one man defines their accomplishments. They are bonded by brotherhood and belief, working together for the betterment of each other and the program under a phrase of “above all else, love your brother” that Kroeger explains has been instilled in the South Carolina culture under Beamer.
“He’s probably the most influential person that I’ve been around,” Kroeger says of his head coach and the impact he’s had on his career. “Seeing where the program was at when I first got here, I was shocked at how someone could come in and change the attitude in the program and how everyone views the program.”
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The second coming of “Beamer Ball” under the head coach and special teams coordinator, Pete Lembo, has helped energize the program and impact the national perception of Gamecocks football. They have ushered in an era of special teams physicality and excellence, peppered in with a pinch of pizzazz, with their premier punter leading the way in this regard.
While Kroeger’s cleat craft has led to booming balls, cleverly executed coffin corners, and a ludicrous percentage of punts downed inside the 20, the South Carolina standout has emerged as one of the most dangerous passers at the punter position.
He laughs when I suggest that Spencer Rattler might have some QB1 position competition, “we talk about it a good bit, he makes jokes about it as well,” with Kroeger completing all six of his career pass attempts, three of which have resulted in touchdowns. Having grown up wanting to be a DI quarterback, Kroeger gets to live out that dream at least once a season.
“Coach Lembo does a great job of getting us prepared for those kinds of situations,” Kroeger explains the elements of his quarterback success. “But, it’s also an instinct thing, just going out there and playing ball. All that stuff kind of comes together. It’s definitely been super exciting having those throws and special teams plays that can change the game.”
An Illinois Boy With Garnet in His Veins
While his standout special teams plays have made him a sensation around South Carolina, Kroeger hails from Lake Forest, Illinois, where he found a love of football in the backyard.
It was there that he discovered he could kick the ball a little further than his friends. While he carried dreams of playing quarterback into high school, he also became aware that playing punter could offer him next-level opportunities. From there, local inspiration helped mold Kroeger into the punter he is today.
“Pat O’Donnell and Thomas Morstead,” the South Carolina punter reels off his inspirations without hesitation. “O’Donnell was with the Bears for a long time, and they practice in my hometown, so he was someone I could turn to directly. He’s been able to handle the ball in winds in Chicago. I love trying to model my game after him.”
“They both trained with the same organization that I trained with going through high school, and even now. I’ve seen a lot of their film and have been able to hear talks by them.”
“Morstead, coming out of college, had a few things wrong with his hands, but he was determined to change that. Now, he’s a Super Bowl champion and has been in the league for well over 10 years. He’s arguably the best punter in the NFL when it comes to directional punting.”
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He may have been raised in Illinois, but Gamecock garnet runs through his veins.
Kroeger describes his time in South Carolina as “the highlight of his life,” with his impact on the program and community far more important to him than any personal accolades achieved already and those potentially to come as he prepares for the assault on the 2023 campaign.
During last season, head coach Beamer described his special teams standout as a “great leader for this football team,” something that Kroeger has aimed for since setting foot on campus in 2020.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted to get better at each year,” Kroeger begins to summarize his feelings on the importance of leadership. “You want to get to that point where you’re trusted by your teammates to lead them. You can come in with a mindset of wanting to lead, but there’s a point where your on-field play has to match what you’re trying to do off the field.”
“I hope I’ve been able to do that to a good enough point to where I’m trusted. I’m still trying to grow in that. I try to meet with coaches to see what I can do better not only as a player but also as a leader. I definitely enjoy being in that role and enjoy being trusted by coaches and teammates.”
A Special Punter With a Special Place in the South Carolina Community
That leadership extends beyond the walls of Williams-Brice Stadium and out into the community. During his time with the Gamecocks, Kroeger has been involved with several initiatives via the Garnet Trust Foundation that aim to give back to those who have supported the program every Saturday through the fall.
Additionally, one of Kroeger’s aspirations for the 2023 college football season is to set up an initiative that sees his on-field success have a positive—and financial—impact. There is a family history of service to the country, placing veterans close to the heart of the South Carolina punter, embedding a desire to be able to provide a service for those who have served.
“That is arguably the most important thing for me, giving back to the community that has given me so much and given this team so much. So I try to get involved with those things.
“I think if you’re able to give back, I’m probably more focused on how I can impact other people rather than what I can do for myself. I wouldn’t be here without the fans and coaches that got me here. That’s why I think it’s extremely important to give back to those who give so much just to see you play.”
There’s a growing sense of excitement among those fans who will pack Williams-Brice to watch the Gamecocks play in the 2023 college season. Kroeger leads a talented South Carolina team that is on an upward trajectory under Beamer, and an eight-win season that contained a win over Clemson has set a bar for future campaigns.
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“There’s definitely a lot of buzz,” Kroeger summarizes the atmosphere around the team. “A lot of outside noise, but definitely some excitement coming from inside as well. There are a lot of players excited about filling new roles. There’s a whole new energy that we’re reaching. We’re all super excited.
“Obviously, everyone’s goal is going to be the national championship. The expectation is to win all your games, but it’s a ‘no ceiling, no roof’ mentality, sort of ‘why are we letting people or ourselves limit what we can do?’ All we’re focused on is giving 100% effort every day, and making football a bigger part of our lives so that we can have the success we want.”
National Championship. Mortell Award. Ray Guy Award. A place in the program’s history books. There’s a lofty list of achievements that Kroeger has on his bucket list for the 2023 college football season. His final summary, however, continues a theme that showcases the team-first mindset that has made the South Carolina punter an integral part of a resurgent Gamecock team.
“I’m just hoping that I can do the best for the team, and I think everything else will follow.”
It takes a special person to selflessly lead a team. Kroeger puts that particular brand of special into the South Carolina special teams.
