How San Diego State punter Matt ‘Punt God’ Araiza became a viral sensation

College football fans have found a new great love in booming San Diego State punter Matt Araiza, also known as the “Punt God.”

In college football, usually, it’s quarterbacks and wide receivers or running backs and pass rushers who capture the imagination.

Who could have guessed the biggest celebrity in the sport could be a punter?

San Diego State punter Matt Araiza has created a loyal following with his ridiculously strong leg. He’s hit more 60-yard punts this year than anyone ever. He’s boomed multiple 80-yarders.

In the words of Rick Neuheisel, “punting is winning” when it comes to watching Araiza. He’s reason No. 1 to tune into San Deigo State football this season.

College football fans love Matt Araiza, the “Punt God”

Loving the Punt God isn’t a hobby. It’s a lifestyle.

Araiza isn’t just getting attention from the Twitter crowd. He’s also a finalist for the Ray Guy Award.

Araiza is averaging a national-best 51.82 yards per punt, which is the highest average on record going back to 2000. Texas A&M’s Braden Mann is the only other punter to average better than 50 yards per punt in a season and he attempted 17 fewer punts than Ariaza managed even before the Boise State game.

Matt Araiza NFL Draft: How high will the Punt God be drafted?

Araiza is a unique draft prospect. His position is not valued very highly but he’s arguably the best prospect at punter in decades.

So how early could he be drafted?

The 49ers drafter Utah’s Mitch Wishnowsky in the fourth round in 2019. The Jaguars pitched up Bryan Anger out of Cal in the third round in 2012. Others have gone as high as the third round over the past couple of decades.

The highest a punter has ever been picked was Rohn Stark from Florida State in the second round by Baltimore in 1982 with the 34th overall pick. West Virginia’s Todd Sauerbrun was also a second round selection, going to the Chicago Bears with the 54th pick.

Ariaza will most definitely be drafted. The only question is how high but coming off the board on Day 2 is a distinct possibility.

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