Big Ten Football Top 150 Players: No. 150, Anthony Fera, Penn State P/K

No. 150: Anthony Fera, #30, P/K, Penn State
2011 Stats: 14-17 FG, 20-20 XP; 64 punts, 41.95 ypp

Strengths

Fera is one of several very good kickers in the Big Ten (probably the best conference for kickers in the nation in 2012), and his 2011 stats ably bear that out. He was automatic from 40 yards and in, going 12-12 in that range, and he nailed all 20 of his extra points. Fera was also a serviceable punter in 2012, averaging nearly 42 yards per boot and helping Penn State to sixth in the B1G in net punting.

Weaknesses

Of course, there's also what happens when Fera ventures beyond 40 yards, and it's not great. Fera was 2-5 on field goal attempts longer than 40 yards on the entire year in 2011, and by and large Penn State wasn't going to test his distance when the ball was near the 30-yard-line.

Now, that's sort of a blessing in disguise, as being approximately 30 yards away from the end zone with 4th and short to go should mean going for it more often than coaches typically do, but just because Fera's weak long-kicking game makes smart play-calling decisions more likely doesn't mean he gets to move higher on the list.

2012 Prediction

Fera has a pretty decent leg, as his kickoffs and punts from last season would indicate, but the consistency and reliability just weren't there yet. Look for Bill O'Brien to get a little more out of his kicking game in 2012, and for Fera to at least hit more than two field goals from distance.

Fera's 82% accuracy rate may suffer a bit for it, but he'll be more valuable to the team this way rather than needing the Nittany Lions to get inside the 25-yard line before they can even think about getting three points. Don't be surprised if O'Brien tries to lessen Fera's workload at kicker by trying Sam Ficken at punter for 2012 (or even vice versa) either.