After a strong A-Day performance that earned him special teams MVP, Daniel Carlson won both the kicking and punting job for the Tigers this fall.
A redshirt freshman from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Carlson is the first Auburn player since 2002 to handle both duties.
This is not the first time Carlson has done both, though.
"I did it a little in high school," Carlson said. "Obviously, it's a whole new level here. But, mentally, I've prepared for it. There are kickers at other schools that have done it successfully. Of course it's a little more rare, I guess, but I'm happy to take on the challenge."
While he was recruited solely as a kicker, Carlson said he feels he can be just as effective as a punter.
"I think I could be a really good punter if I continue to work on it," Carlson said. "I'm kind of taller, built like a punter. If I can connect well, I can drop some bombs."
In the preseason, head coach Gus Malzahn thought the young player may need time to adjust to doing both duties in a college game.
"I'm sure there will be some growing pains; we know that anytime you go with a redshirt freshman," Malzahn said. "Right now, he won the job and he's been very impressive."
If the first few games are any indicators, Carlson may have already overcome any growing pains he has faced.
Against Arkansas, Carlson was 1-2 on field goals, kicked seven of his eight kickoffs for touchbacks, converted all six extra points and averaged 53.3 yards per punt.
His only hiccup was a 42-yard field goal try that bounced off the upright, but he answered with a 45-yarder in the second half.
His performance earned him SEC Freshman of the Week, an honor no kicker or punter has ever accomplished at Auburn.
Even with his first few performances, replacing former Auburn and current Philadelphia Eagles kicker Cody Parkey will be no small task according to special teams coach Scott Fountain.
"Cody was good," Fountain said. "It's going to be tough to (replace Parkey), but it's kind of a good standard for him to work towards."
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