Ricky Schmitt

Infobox NFLactive


name=Ricky Schmitt
width=
caption=
currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=––
currentpositionplain=Punter
birthdate=birth date and age|1985|8|17
birthplace=Virginia Beach, Virginia
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=210
debutyear=
debutteam=
college=Shepherd University
undraftedyear=2007
pastteams=
* Arizona Cardinals (2007)*
* San Francisco 49ers (2008):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status=Active
highlights=
* No notable achievements
nflSCH359655

Ricky William Schmitt (born 17 August 1985 in Virginia Beach, Virginia) is an American football punter for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Shepherd University.

Early years

Ricky Schmitt is a 2003 graduate of Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia but did not play high school football until his senior season. A four-year varsity letterman in soccer, Schmitt only went out for football due to Sun Devil’s need for a kicker. He was named an all-Beach District punter/kicker his senior year. He also played basketball. Schmitt was offered a scholarship to play soccer for Virginia Tech.

College career

Schmitt played college football at Shepherd University, a Division II school in West Virginia. He was one of the premier punters/kickers in the NCAA. In 2006 he would have been among the leaders of all divisions in punting statistics however his offense only allowed him to punt 41 times (not enough to qualify for the leaders). In spring testing Schmitt was one of the fastest members of the Shepherd University squad recording 40 yard dash times in the 4.4’s. He is a three-time first team All-WVIAC selection as a punter and a two-time first team selection as a kicker. 2006 Daktronics Division II First Team All-Northeast Region selection and a second-team All-American in 2006.

Additionally Schmitt holds virtually all Shepherd kicking records including:Fact|date=August 2007
*All-time leader in career kick scoring (250 points)
*All-time leader in career field goals (33)
*Most extra points in a career (151)
*Most extra points in a season (50-54, 2005)
*Most kick scoring points in a season (80, 2005)
*Most consecutive extra points in a career (60)
*Most consecutive extra points in a season (43)
*2006 Single-season extra point percentage (100% 43-43)
*Career extra point percentage (.926 - 151-163)
*WVIAC Record in 2006

Schmitt punted 41 times for a 44 average, with a long of 77, and 22 punts inside the 20 in 2006. A master of directional punts, with a 5 sec. hangtime only 17 of his punts were returned. He had eightteen kickoffs for touchbacks.

Professional career

Ricky Schmitt was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Arizona Cardinals, minutes after the 2007 NFL draft. He has excelled in training camp, garnering attention because of his athleticism and football abilities. His punting and kicking has been awe inspiring. Ricky has been booming kicks well over 50 yards with 5 second hang times in practice, as well as launching kickoffs out of the end zone.Fact|date=August 2007 Additionally, he was one of the top conditioned Cardinals reporting to camp, and excelling in the Cardinals Run test.Fact|date=August 2007 Was released by the Cardinals on August 27, 2007. He punted three times in two preseason games with an average kick of about 38 yards.

On January 15, 2008, Schmitt became the first Free Agent signed with the San Francisco 49ers for the 2008 season. Schmitt will compete for a roster spot, and serve as the punter or place kicker. Seeing action in all four pre-season games with the 49ers handling Punting/ Kickoffs and Field goals, Ricky led the 49ers in punting avg. 3 punts 43.7 avg. (2 inside the 20/ long 54), went 3 for 4 FGs (3 of 3 30-39yds)1 blocked, and 6 for 6 xpts. Ricky was outstanding on kickoffs… against the Bears 8/21/08 he had 2 kickoffs to the back of the endzone forcing touchbacks, and also had 2 tackles on Kickoffs against Green Bay. Ricky was a favorite of the Coaching staff and was recently the subject of an article on the 49ers website: http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4499&section=PR%20News

Schmitt was waived by San Francisco on August 30, 2008.

References

* [http://journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/503741.html Ex-Ram Schmitt signs with 49ers]
* [http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4548 August 30 Press Release]

External links

* [http://sf49ers.com/team/roster_detail.php?PRKey=167&section=TE%20Roster San Francisco 49ers bio]
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/rickyschmitt/profile?id=SCH359655 NFL.com bio]
* [http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4499&section=PR%20News]