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Grant Schallock to walk on at Carolina
Former Smoky Mountain punter/place kicker Grant Schallock has accepted an offer to be an invited walk-on for North Carolina’s football team.
He has the possibility of earning a scholarship later in his career with the Tar Heels.
“(Assistant) Coach John Lovett contacted me saying they had a pretty good opportunity down there for me,” Schallock said. “I looked into it a little closer and found out it was really the best opportunity for me.”
Former Smoky Mountain kicker Grant Schallock has accepted an opportunity to play for North Carolina’s football team as an invited walk-on. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Schallock’s path to Chapel Hill began last spring when Lovett made a courtesy call on SM Coach Dale Galloway and had the chance to watch Schallock punt.
“He was working his way around all the schools in this area,” Schallock said. “Coach Galloway had mentioned to him I intended to go to Clemson. He asked if I wanted to kick for him.”
Schallock said Carolina coaches told him he will mainly be a punter with the possibility of kicking off as well.
“I liked the feel of the campus,” Schallock said. “With (Coach) Butch Davis coming in, it’s a big rebuilding time. I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Davis, who had an outstanding record at the University of Miami, was hired earlier this year to revitalize the Tar Heel program.
“I’ve prepared a lot during the summer,” Schallock said. “I’m looking forward to training camp starting Aug. 2.”
Schallock grew up playing soccer and baseball and is SM’s career scoring leader in soccer. He began kicking for the football team as a junior.
“It was really unexpected,” Schallock said of the opportunity to play football in college. “I wouldn’t have believed it (a few years ago), but when the opportunity comes you want to take advantage of it.”
“I think that’s going to be a good opportunity for him,” Galloway said. “They signed a junior college transfer (punter) so Grant is still going to have an opportunity to play early. It’s a chance for him to stay in state and compete at a very high level.”
Schallock may have an opportunity to do more than punt at Carolina, according to Galloway.
“They’re looking at him primarily for punting, but when he gets down there I think he can compete for anything,” Galloway said. “He’s just scratching the surface of what his abilities are.”
Galloway said Schallock can consistently kick field goals from around 50 yards out.
Even so, it’s as a punter where he may excel.
“His hang time on punts is unbelievable,” Galloway said. “From a coaching standpoint, when returning punts is removed from the game it’s a big deal.”
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