Latest news with #LeaderKicking
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is new Penn State Recruit Adam McCann-Gibbs?
Kicking is certainly not the sexiest position when it comes to recruiting. After all, it's not necessarily going to garner the most headlines, especially if you're a blue-blood program such as Penn State. Especially if you're struggling to make headway in a certain recruiting cycle to boot. However, a unique unicorn of a kicker has recently committed to the Nittany brings along with him a unique story. Adam McCann-Gibbs is not just unique because of his diverse origins. He is unique because he is already so well-rounded at a position that seems so simplistic. Not only is he the 22nd-ranked pure kicker in his class, but the 36th-ranked punter as well. It somehow makes you forget of the whole other side to his cult status completely. You see, McCann-Gibbs isn't even in high school. At just 17 years old, no college scouts have even really seen him in game action. But that's not it. McCann-Gibbs does not even have the advantage of growing up in the US either. He was born in Northern Ireland, a country more well-known for rugby than anything else. Despite this minor setback, McCann-Gibbs has set himself apart from the pack through rigorous training and commitment to his craft. Through Leader Kicking, a program set up through former rugby player Tadgh Leader, McCann-Gibbs has been able to showcase his skillset to a broader audience. For example, here is a clip of Gibbs booting over 70-yard punts at Leader's camp, proving his one-of-one talents. Gibbs is certainly walking into a competitive environment in the Penn State kicking room. Ryan Barker, a sophomore with two more years of eligibility left, has the upper hand right now, having won the job last year. Freshman walk-on Matthew Parker is set to join the squad this fall. Gibbs may have more luck as a punter, as both Riley Thompson and Gabe Nwosu will be out of eligibility by the time he steps foot on campus. Overall, the future is bright for young Gibbs. Don't be surprised that once he is a Nittany Lion, his intriguing skill set is put to good use.
Irish Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Former All-Ireland winner Lorcan Quinn earns scholarship to be American football kicker
Former Tyrone goalkeeper Lorcan Quinn has committed to Marshall University, becoming the first All-Ireland winner to earn a scholarship as an American football kicker. Quinn, who plays his club football for Donaghmore, served as Niall Morgan's backup when Tyrone last lifted Sam Maguire in 2021. He withdrew from the Tyrone panel in May of last year before linking up with former rugby player turned kicking coach Tadhg Leader later that summer. In January, Quinn was one of seven Irish prospects in the Leader Kicking programme who flew to Florida to kick in front of college coaches. READ MORE On Thursday, the player took to social media to announce that he had committed to Marshall on a full scholarship. Since travelling to America, Quinn has trained as a kicker and kick-off specialist. Last month, Kohls Kicking Camps, a leading showcase for college kickers and punters, ranked Quinn as the best kicker available to colleges in the transfer portal. 100% committed ‼️ Delighted to have signed for Massive thanks to Cant thank Leader Kicking 🇮🇪 enough — LorcanQuinn1 (@Quinn1Lorcan) Nicknamed The Herd, Marshall University is a smaller school based in West Virginia. Their football team plays in the Sun Belt Conference and is therefore a division one team. While not at the same level as famed programmes such as Alabama and Ohio State, Marshall is nonetheless affiliated with the highest level of college football. Announcing Quinn as one of five new scholarships, Marshall listed the Tyrone native at 6ft 1in and 190 pounds. 'Quinn joins Marshall's special teams after being ranked as the No. 1 kicker through Kohl's Kicking Academy for 2025,' said the school. 'His most impressive performance came in a kicking camp at IMG Academy in Florida where he went 8-for-8 on field goal attempts with successful attempts from 68 and 69 yards during the camp. 'Before taking up American football, Quinn also played Gaelic football for five years.' 'Delighted to have signed for @HerdFB on a full scholarship,' said Quinn on social media. 'Can't thank Leader Kicking enough for believing in me and making this a reality.' The former Tyrone 'keeper will see his first action this summer when linking up with Marshall's preseason camp. Their campaign gets under way in August with a trip to Georgia, the 2023 national champions. Quinn is the third Irish player to sign with a gridiron programme this week. On Tuesday, both Mark McNamee and Laois native Ross Bolger were drafted by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Both players were part of this year's NFL International Player Pathway Programme. Bolger spent the last two years on a scholarship at Idaho State University.
