Auburn’s Daniel Carlson has been selected by Minnesota in the 5th round of the NFL Draft.
The Tigers’ placekicker scored 480 points in his career at Auburn, which is No. 1 all-time in SEC football. He broke the school and conference scoring records as a senior, and was named the SEC special teams player of the year for consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn called Carlson a ‘true weapon’ for the Tigers in his four years on the Plains.
A three-time Lou Groza Award finalist, which is awarded to the best kicker in college football, Carlson holds the SEC record for consecutive PATs as he converted all 198 in his career. Nicknamed ‘Legatron’ in his time at Auburn, the Colorado native went 13-for-21 on field goals of 50-plus yards in his collegiate career, which is second all-time in NCAA history.
“What a blessing it was,” Carlson said of his career at Auburn. “I am where I am today because of the people that invested in me at Auburn and the opportunities they gave me.”
Despite Carlson’s rocky start to his senior season at Auburn, most draft experts still believe he has the ideal size and strength to be a starting kicker in at the next level.
"Still the highest-rated kicker coming out this year, in my opinion, even though he doesn't have that third-round round grade that I thought he would have,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
