Getting a job these days is not the easiest, and no job is more cutthroat than making an NFL team. From just getting the opportunity to sign a contract to making the final 53-man roster, people will do whatever they can to get a foot in the door.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, former Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders punter Kyle Ulbrich went viral on social media as he stood outside the Miami Dolphins practice facility asking for a job.
Who is Ulbrich, and does he have any standing to become a punter in the NFL? Let’s take a look at the former MTSU punter.
Who Is Kyle Ulbrich?
From Mentor, Ohio, Ulbrich was a four-year starter at Middle Tennessee State University after redshirting his freshman season. In his senior season, he set a school record, averaging 47.1 yards per punt, and led Conference USA with 31 punts over 50 yards. His average led C-USA and ranked second nationally.
Ulbrich also became the field-goal holder during his redshirt junior year and would hold the position through the end of his collegiate career. While having pinpoint accuracy and power in punts is a leg up, adding holding duties creates more instances when the first-team All-C-USA punter could be on the field.
Its always a dream, until it becomes a reality. I just want an opportunity to prove myself #gofins pic.twitter.com/1jYFr0OF8Z
— Kyle (@kyle_ulbrich) July 23, 2024
After his final season with MTSU in 2022, nothing materialized regarding job opportunities for the decorated punter. Ulbrich explained to PFN, “I tried the route all specialists take, and that’s to attend every free agent Combine from every kicking guru… The fiancée and I decided this would be my last year trying to make a push at any next-level league.”
With a deadline set to continue his football endeavors, Ulbrich talked with friends and reached out to fellow players who had already entered the NFL. Los Angeles Rams guard Grant Miller advised Ulbrich he needed to come up with something unique as countless players were doing exactly what he was doing to get a shot in the league.
He told PFN, “We joked about the idea of camping [out at training camp] amongst my friend group, and the more we talked, the better it sounded. The fiancée gave me her support and helped me make these signs! Next thing I know, I’m driving up this morning at 2 a.m. and packing a pillow and blanket to sleep in my car.”
Ulbrich set up shop outside the Dolphins’ facility, hoping for a miracle.
The Dolphins’ fandom on X quickly sprang into action, amplifying Ulbrich’s message via reposts and quote posts in his support. When asked if anyone from the facility had said anything to him, Ulbrich responded, “My only contact was them telling me I had to scoot across the street. I was too close to their entrance.”
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It remains to be seen if his efforts will yield a result with the Dolphins, as a punter upgrade isn’t out of the question. Jake Bailey has struggled the last couple of seasons with a sharp drop-off in average. Unless he can bounce back to his 2020 form, Ulbrich’s average punt yards would be an immediate upgrade over Bailey.
Hopefully, other franchises will notice Ulbrich’s efforts so he doesn’t have to camp at different facilities.
