July 13th 2024
9 AM - 6:30 PM
Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
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- Top Kicker in America showcase is an invitational event for college prospect kickers and punters.
- Small number of kickers who attend – less than 50 , allows us to thoroughly evaluate everyone, and create a video of their performance.
- Athletes get filmed, evaluated and charted. Here are two samples of outstanding athletes performing at this event – Hunter Niswander who committed to Northwestern (eventually becoming an NFL punter) and Austin Seibert who committed to Oklahoma (eventually becoming an NFL kicker). They both received full scholarships and were 4-year starters on their college teams. Click HERE for Hunter’s video and HERE for Austin’s video.
- Statistics and videos from this event are sent to colleges. Individual referrals and references to specific schools are available by request of athletes or universities. Professional evaluation from this event is useful for small and big college prospects. Coach Filipovic has almost 30 years of experience in the world of kicking with countless connections at all levels and a reputation as a very honest and knowledgeable evaluator of potential and prospect value.
- Athletes have an opportunity to learn from, interact and socialize in a relaxed small group setting with highly accomplished staff consisting of current and former NFL specialists.
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- Athletes who stood out at one of The Kicking Coach camps or another reputable showcase and received a personal invitation from coach Filipovic.
- We invite athletes who have 50+ yard range on field goals off the ground, can hit kickoffs 60+ yards, and/or average over 40 yards per punt from the line of scrimmage in a practice setting. In addition to kicking strength requirements, we also expect athletes to have polished enough mechanics that will attract college interest.
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If you have not been invited but would like to attend, email coach Filipovic your accomplishments and any game or training video links to coach@thekickingcoach.com
Austin Seibert, #1 high school kicker in the nation (2015), Top Kicker In America Alum (July 2014). Drafted by Browns in 2019. Bengals kicker. “I first started working with Filip (The Kicking Coach) when I was 14 years old. Filip was the first coach I received instruction from and he has helped me since the beginning. His ability to engage and apply his coaching is what sets him apart. Along with this, Filip is honest and doesn’t sugar coat anything. He stands by work ethic and doing things the right way. He has helped me get to where I am today and the journey has been incredible!”
TKIA Event Featured Alumni
Austin Seibert – Oklahoma, NFL – VIDEO
Hunter Niswander – Northwestern, NFL – VIDEO
Tucker McCann – Missouri, NFL – VIDEO
Tyler Perkins – Iowa State – VIDEO
Matt Trickett – Minnesota, Atlanta Falcons
Evan Sundermann – Grand Valley State University – VIDEO
Jack Olsen – Northwestern University
Stephen Rusnak – Michigan State VIDEO
Logan Seibert – Lindenwood
Adam Culp – Michigan – VIDEO
Garrison Smith – McNeese State – VIDEO
Rece Verhoff – Marshall – VIDEO
Eddie Jewett – Ferris State University
Arlind Bengu – Lousiana Tech – VIDEO
Shelby Pruett – Colgate University – VIDEO
Mitchell Tomasek – Eastern Michigan – VIDEO
Carson Beekman – Northwood
Evan Finnegan – Buffalo – VIDEO
Kai Kroeger – South Carolina – VIDEO
Evan Morris – Michigan State – VIDEO
Pierson Cooke – Vanderbilt – VIDEO
Mick Ellis – Iowa
Yanni Volas – John Carrol – VIDEO
James Hayden – Northwest Missouri State – EVENT VIDEO
Damian Chowaniec – Minnesota State
Josh Brebant – Northern Illinois – EVENT VIDEO
Parker Blust – Northwood – EVENT VIDEO
Daniel Riser – Northern Michigan – EVENT VIDEO
Jack Shannon – Hillsdale – EVENT VIDEO
Nicolai Gualdoni – Southern Illinois – EVENT VIDEO
Michael Farkas – Ohio University – EVENT VIDEO
Jed Quackenbush – Ohio Dominican – EVENT VIDEO
Austin Errthum – Northern Iowa – EVENT VIDEO
Filip Filipovic and Assistant Coaches with NFL or big time college experience.
*July 13th 2024 Assistant Coaches will be posted in March as college and pro athletes find out their schedules
JULY 8th 2023 Assistant Coaches:
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- Greg Zuerlein – NY JETS, Missouri Western
- Austin Seibert – NFL Kicker, Oklahoma
- Riley Patterson – Detroit Lions, Memphis
- Brad Robbins – Cincinnati Bengals, Michigan
- Ryan Donahue – Former NFL Punter, Iowa
- Stephen Rusnak – Michigan State Kicker
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July 13th 2024 Event – Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest College is located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. Campus is tucked into winding wooded roads next to Lake Michigan. Chicago Bears hosted their training camps at this stadium from 1975 to 1983. It is a beautiful and serene setting for this invitational event.
FIELD GOALS
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- Athletes will attempt 12 field goals. Distances are from 35, 40, 45, and 50 from left hash mark and right hash mark. Also 40, 45, 50, and 52-yard field goals from the middle.
- Class of 2025 and older kickers have to kick field goals off the ground. Class of 2026 kickers are welcome to use a 1 inch or 1/2 inch block if needed.
- In the second, mini-charting session, kickers will attempt 6 kicks from the middle of the field from distances 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 53
- Athletes who make at least 12 out of 18 field goals will earn bonus kicks from 55, 58 and 61 yards out.
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KICKOFFS
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- Kickers will attempt 6 kickoffs. We will calculate the average of top 4 kicks.
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PUNTING
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- Punters will kick 16 punts – 8 in each direction. They will receive an underhand toss from a coach standing 8 yards in front of them. We will average out top 12 punts (6 from each direction).
- We will not measure handling time (catch to kick). But it is recommended that punters move at 1.4 to 1.6 second speed.
- In the second, mini-charting session, punters will kick 5 punts (we will eliminate the worst punt)
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EVENT COMPETITIONS
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- Last man standing field goal competition
- Last man standing punting competition
- Thread the needle field goal competition
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SKILL WORK
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- Athletes will get to work with coaches in a small group setting to fine tune their skills
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Cost: $320
Included in cost:
- Charting, coaching, college referrals.
- Event video; 1 to 2 minute highlight video consisting of best kicks from the event and short professional reference by coach Filipovic.
- Top Kicker in America Under Armour T-shirt.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, you are entitled to full refund up until June 30th. After June 30th, you are welcome to transfer your payment toward any future The Kicking Coach event.
