Recent events a kick for Podlesh

After selecting Podlesh in the fourth round of the NFL draft last Sunday, the Jaguars on Wednesday released veteran punter Chris Hanson, who spent the past six seasons in Jacksonville and made the Pro Bowl in 2002. It seems to be a major vote of confidence in Podlesh?s ability from Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio.

“We think he can be a real weapon for us,” Del Rio said during a press conference Sunday. “[He?s] very quick, he does a nice job with hang time, very consistent hitting the ball. He?s a great athlete. He has speed. He has really good hands. We think he?s a really, really fine prospect as a punter, and we feel confident that he will be our punter.”

Podlesh said he knew the Jaguars had interest in him late in the third round, but got nervous when they traded picks Saturday with Baltimore to move down into the fourth round. But he didn?t have to wait long Sunday. The 5-foot-11, 202-pounder was the second player taken in the fourth round and first punter selected overall.

Podlesh comes to Jacksonville after being a four-year starter at Maryland and a two-time semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, college football?s top punting honor. He ranked among the top 25 nationally in punting average in each of his final three seasons with the Terps.

For his career, he also ranks second at Maryland and ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference with his 43.1 yards-per-punt average.

“It means a lot to me,” Podlesh said on being the first punter selected. “It shows that I might have been valued more than the other punters. It definitely means something to me. I don?t know if it?s something that means the world to me, but I wanted a place to play and the opportunity to showpeople what I can do.

“There are a lot of good punters looking to be drafted, and I don?t think I am necessarily better than them. It?s just a great honor to be the first because you don?t see a lot of punters drafted at all.”