Collegiate Times

Beamer agrees with Journell and he feels as though the extra on-field experience will benefit Cody as he transitions into the college game.

"He's played different positions on the football field and played them well," Beamer said. "I like kickers who have been involved in the offense and defense. I think that helps him."

But that's not to say Journell is guaranteed anything.

Despite the shaky special teams performance at the spring game,  past spring games produced similar results, and Beamer is still confident with the kickers Tech has on the roster.

"Waldron's been our most productive kicker and most consistent field goal guy. He's been very consistent," Beamer said. "But we'll give (Journell) a chance to compete. Whoever is the best kicker, the most consistent kicker, will kick for us; for both field goals and kickoffs."

At Giles, Journell demonstrated he could do both.

The senior booted 10 field goals for the Spartans in 2007 including a 54-yarder to tie the score in a game against Blacksburg High School that eventually went to a state-record tying six-overtimes. The Spartans finally prevailed, 46-43.

All the while, Journell put kick-offs out of the back of the end zone on a regular basis.

"He didn't have that many opportunities to make field goals for us," Ragsdale said. "But one thing he was able to do is kick it in or even through the end zone consistently, which was a huge weapon for us."

Journell's rare ability to kick for distance led him to pursue outside coaching from Doug Blevins to further his kicking skills.

Blevins worked as an NFL kicking coach with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, and after he left the Dolphins in 2002, he opened his own kicking consulting business, Doug Blevins Kicking & Punting, Inc.

Blevins has worked with Cody since 2006 and even served as one-time Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri's personal tutor.

"Doug has really helped me with my technique as a kicker," Journell said. "He's shown me how I needed to kick from a technical standpoint."

The Abingdon-based Blevins has coached NFL and collegiate kickers alike and believes Journell has the potential to go a long way.

The athletic Journell will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job as a true freshman when the newest group of Tech recruits report to practice in August.  

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