KWU Sports Information
Miguel Millan (SR/Lodi, Calif.) had the best possible view for Kansas Wesleyan's football games last fall. He frequently was on top of the action from his perch along the Coyotes' sideline where he spent considerable time waiting for his name to be called.
Millan was KWU's punter and 38 times he and his group were summoned for duty during the 11-game 2022 season – an average of 3.5 punts per contest.
He made the most of his opportunities and his efforts did not go unnoticed. Millan was chosen a Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NAIA Selection Committee and was also a Second Team selection by the NAIA Coaches.
He averaged 42.2 yards, ranking him third in the NAIA. His longest punt was 71 yards and 16 of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
"It was pretty exciting, very surprised," Millan said of the honor that was announced in December. "I've seen a lot of teammates get All-American stuff my entire football and soccer career and I've always wanted to get All-American. When I heard first about it I was very exciting and felt accomplished."
Justifiably so. It was the culmination of endless hours of honing his craft while typically working with only long snapper Brendan Tackett (JR/San Antonio, Texas) on the auxiliary practice next to Bissell Field in JRI Stadium and the Graves Family Sports Complex.
Millan didn't start punting until his senior in high school and only did so to help a friend.
"A buddy of mine in high school was like 'we're looking for a punter, you want to punt?'" he said. "I was like 'why not. If the coach is flexible with my soccer schedule, I'll do it.' He was flexible."
Millan's work landed him a roster spot on the San Joaquin Delta College (Calif.) football team in nearby Stockton after high school. He punted for two seasons and spent a third year finishing his soccer career before transferring to Wesleyan before the 2021 season.
It was during the 2021 season that Millan put it all together as a punter.
"It's a combination of flexibility, strength and just consistency," he said. "Consistency is the biggest factor in it. You can be the strongest person in the world but if you don't have that consistent drop, you're going to shank your punts.
"There is a lot of technique that goes into it depending on your height, your hip flexors, how flexible you are that determine your job. It just takes a very long time to figure out where your drop is. I found my drop and started hitting that sweet spot on the football somewhere in the middle of last season. Finding that sweet spot is a punter's dream."
While booming punts are great, distance is only part of the equation. Placement is essential and weather conditions are a huge factor.
"What determines it is how much you practice that drop, how much work you put into punting the ball and figuring out how far you can kick," Millan said. "It just it takes a while."
His years playing soccer were also beneficial.
"It helps with the foot and eye coordination," he said. "Your footwork plays a lot in kicking as well."
The punting process begins after a punter gets the snap from the long snapper. Millan offers effusive praise of Tackett.
"I love Brendan Tackett," he said. "We were very blessed that he was with us because he's probably one of the best long snappers I've seen. He can put that ball wherever he wants. … A lot of my success has to do with Tackett."
KWU coach Matt Myers was thrilled with Millan's work.
"Miguel is a terrific athlete and competitor," he said. "He overcame some injuries early in the season and made the most of his opportunities."
Millan and Tackett also worked long dhours with KWU's standout placekicker Aaron Main (SR/Tulsa, Okla.) – Millan the holder on extra points and field goals. Main converted 57 of 58 extra points and seven of 10 field goals last season, including a school-record tying 51-yarder.
"During the offseason we worked our butts off," Millan said. "I was consistently punting and I was consistently holding. I'd never held until I came here to Kansas Wesleyan and that was something different for me.
"I had to adapt and be the best because I was basically determining Aaron's stats and his future. I like catching the ball slightly towards my ribs like a receiver and put it straight down. If I couldn't put the ball down like he wants it he may have missed more field goals. We had to be on the same page and we had to be perfect for us and for the team."
Millan's goal is to punt professionally and he has been working toward that since the end of the season. He attended a punting camp earlier this month and will attend a showcase for punters in February in Arizona.
"I plan on working on this for the next year and see where it takes me," he said. "Hopefully I can go to the NFL, XFL or CFL."
His resume includes All-America recognition.
"It gives me a little confidence, a little boost," Millan said. "A lot of specific kicking coaches look for that and are more likely and more willing to work with you because of the All-American. It shows that you have something in you and you're good at what you do."