Sep 18, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Gators Secure Double Promise From Trader Bobby Engstler
Bobby Engstler, a punter for Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Florida, announced on Twitter on Thursday that he will continue his football career as a preferred walk-on at the University of Florida. Over scholarship offers from Army, Florida Atlantic, and Memphis, he decided to attend the Gators. As a preferred walk-on, he also attracted interest from Florida State and Ole Miss.
According to Kohl’s Kicking, Engstler is rated as a five-star punter and kicker prospect. He has made a commitment to participate in the Under Armour All-America Bowl in January. In 2024, he is ranked No. 11 kicker and No. 3 punter. Anticipated to play one more season with punter Jeremy Crawshaw (an AP All-SEC second-team pick in 2023) in charge, the Gators are likely considering Engstler as a possible successor in the event that the Australian leaves the program following the following season.
If the Tallahassee, Fla., native is eventually crowned as Florida’s starter, he’d likely realize a boost to scholarship status to fill the one open spot for punters on the roster. Below is a blurb from Engstler’s Kohl’s Kicking evaluation. Engstler is the most consistent punter in the 2024 class. He won the punt competition at the National Scholarship Camp in July of 2023 and the Underclassman Challenge in January of 2023. He also showed command of his body on field goals at both events. He scored 34/36 points on field goals in July. In December, he scored 14/15 points on field goals, 101.8 points on kickoffs, and 103.2 points on punts.
