2022 NFL Draft: Matt Araiza Highlights, Punting Stats, Scouting Report and Nickname for the 'Punt God'

One of the most high-profile names in the 2022 NFL Draft is San Diego State punter Matt Araiza. The big-legged San Diego native is considered one of the best prospects at his position in years and many are eager to see where he lands.

Here's everything you need to know about Araiza heading into the 2022 NFL Draft.

Matt Araiza Scouting Report

Araiza stands at just over 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds. The redshirt junior touts impressive athleticism for a player at his position, including flexibility to play kicker, and possesses once-in-a-lifetime leg strength that has teams excited about his potential.

One big thing scouts believe Araiza needs to work on his accuracy when it comes to field goal kicking, which faltered this season. He also has been tasked with improving his hang time on punts, as playmaking returners in the NFL will have a field day if Araiza continues to kick line drives.

Matt Araiza Punting Stats

Araiza starred for the Aztecs last season as a punter after mostly handling FG and PAT duties from 2019-2020. During the 2021 campaign, Araiza set the single-season FBS record with an average of 51.19 yards per punt.

He also set all-time records for most punts of 50-plus yards (39) in a single season and most punts of 60-plus yards (18) in a single season. Additionally, Araiza recorded six punts over 70 yards and two over 80 yards.

Matt Araiza Field Goal Stats

It's been well-noted that Araiza's field goal kicking declined as his punting profile rose in college. He hit 84.6% of his FG attempts in 2019, followed by 71.4% in 2020 and just 64.3% this past season. San Diego State's willingness to let him take deep tries is credited with part of Araiza's lackluster numbers in 2021, but it's certainly something he'll need to work on at the next level.

Araiza also connected on 96-of-97 (99.0%) extra point attempts during his three seasons at SDSU.

Matt Araiza Highlights

Araiza's highlights from the 2021 campaign speak for themselves.

Matt Araiza Nickname - "Punt God"

Give Araiza's prolific profile, he's been dubbed the "Punt God" by football fans. Many believe he's a generational prospect at the position and will find a new home in the draft, rather than latch on as an undrafted free agent.

Highest Punter Ever Drafted

Russell Erxleben was drafted No. 11 overall in 1979 by the New Orleans Saints after being a kicker and punter in college. Ray Guy, the only punter in the Hall of Fame, was drafted No. 23 overall by the then-Oakland Raiders in 1973.

Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.