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It is not too often you will find many analysts, fans or other players excited about bringing in a kicker as a part of a big time recruiting class like the one the University of Tennessee just brought in. But when said kicker is perhaps the best in the nation, he may raise a few eyebrows on his way to campus. When you think about St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, you usually think about the high level skill position players they put out every year, including guys like LaMarcus Joyner, Cody Riggs, Gio Bernard and many more…That list was just from this year’s squad. One of the top prospects out of all of their big names however, was someone whose name never really got mentioned when STA and their talent were discussed.
Michael Palardy, the US Army All-American kicker from St. Thomas Aquinas, verbally committed to Lane Kiffin and the Vols back in July of 2009 and never wavered on his commitment throughout the entire process. The South Florida native did take a visit to the home school, the University of Miami towards the end of January, but that was “just to check it out” as Palardy put it during an interview just after that visit. The 6-foot, 175 pound left footer has a huge leg that helps the ball explode off of his foot and he is well known for the hang-time and depth on his kickoffs and his accuracy and poise in the kicking game.
ESPNU and Scout Inc, had this to say about the number one rated kicker in the country…
Palardy has drawn great college interest. His high school has a strong reputation for producing college specialists. The ball jumps off his foot. He is a lefty who gets great height on his FG. His rhythm is fluid and he is a good athlete. He should adapt well to the college game at the BCS level.
Palardy has the type of leg that could get him on the field early in his career in Knoxville as he has the accuracy to battle all comers in fall camp for the field goal kicking duties, but he also has the strength and the hang time to perhaps come in right away and get to work as a part of the kickoff unit on special teams.
Any time you get a player from a school like St. Thomas Aquinas there is reason to be excited as they are usually coached up well, have the right attitude and are used to winning ball games and competing from the first day they step on campus. While it may be hard for some to get fired up over the commitment from a place-kicker, Michael Palardy is the one you want on your side when it gets down to the end.
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