As reported by Steve Wiseman of the News & Observer this afternoon, Duke dismissed punter/kicker Austin Parker on Friday. The dismissal is the result of a violation of university academic policy.
According to Wiseman, though, Parker could return to the school in 2018; however, his time playing football at Duke is over.
Clarification in the Austin Parker situation. He's kicked out of school for the spring semester for violating university academic policy. Like all students, a process is available to return to school later in 2018. But he's gone from the football team. That door is closed.
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) December 8, 2017
Parker handled both punting and kicking duties this season for Duke; the Blue Devils of course play in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26 against Northern Illinois, Dave Doeren’s old program.
The redshirt sophomore recorded 61 punts this season. He punted the pull 99 times over the last two seasons for Duke. In 2017, Parker ranked ninth in the ACC with an averaged of 42.1 yards per punt.
After A.J. Reed’s woeful 2016 season kicking the ball, Parker became the kicker for the Blue Devils, too. He connected on 33-of-35 (94.3 percent) extra point this season, and went 17-of-21 (81 percent, good for fourth in the conference) on field goals.
In the win over Georgia Tech, Parker made all three of his field goal attempts, and connected on three extra points, too. Parker scored 84 points for Duke this season, which led the team. According to Football Study Hall, Parker ranked No. 62 in the nation in terms of value added on a per kick basis. Last season, Reed ranked No. 128 in the nation in that metric — dead last.
Austin Parker was one of just four FBS players this season to attempt at least 20 field goals and 20 punts, per Sports Reference.
He’s the first ACC player since Miami’s Matt Bosher in 2008 to make at least 15 field goals and record at least 50 punts. Only two other ACC players have accomplished this since 2000: Sam Swank of Wake Forest (2006-07) and NC State’s John Deraney.
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