WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University football team is nearly a week into its preseason camp, working hard to prepare for the 2019 season. As the Hoyas get ready for the season opener at Davidson on Aug. 31, GUHoyas.com will take an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups, with this edition featuring the specialists.
 
Senior Brad Hurst (Helen, Ga. / White County) headlines the group as he has handled the bulk of all three phases of the kicking game for the past two seasons. He was named to the 2019 FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watchlist in July. Hurst punted 78 times for 3,182 yards in 2018, averaging 40.8 yards per game which ranked fifth in the Patriot League. The number of punts and punting yards both rank third in program history while his average per punt is fourth all-time. Hurst had 18 punts that traveled at least 50 yards, including a season-long punt of 66 yards at Colgate. He pinned the opponent inside their own 20-yard line on 19 occasions and had 12 of his punts fair caught. He was named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 3 and selected as honorable mention on Sept. 10.
 
Hurst connected on 10-of-11 PAT attempts, including all four in the season opener at Marist where he also caught a 2-point conversion. He made three field goals on the season, hitting both attempts against Campbell with a season-long kick of 45 yards. Hurst kicked off 36 times on the season, averaging 60.9 yards per kick and recorded 14 touchbacks.
 
"I think Brad came into camp in very good shape.  He worked hard on his craft over the summer and now it is about timing and rhythm in a team setting." Georgetown Special Teams Coordinator Trey Henderson said. "As far as punting, he is probably ahead of where I'd expect right now. The kickoffs we've had him do, those are looking like he did last year. At this point, we are on schedule and he is constantly looking for ways to perfect his craft."
 
Sophomore Davis Walker (Potomac, Md. / Landon / Tulane) enters his first season in a Hoya uniform after transferring to the Hilltop from Tulane. He did not appear in a game last season for the Green Wave, but will compete with Hurst for a role in the placekicking duties.
 
"Davis has worked extremely hard this summer," Henderson said. "He was here the whole second session working with our guys and has jumped right in. His field goal accuracy is good, especially inside 40 yards. That's kind of where he has found a niche. His attitude has been great, he's been willing to work and he's very coachable. He is going to push Brad for who will ultimately win that field goal spot."
 
Brady Weas (Whitefish Bay, Wis. / Whitefish Bay) will resume his longsnapping duties after handling every special teams snap as a freshman in 2018. Isaac Schley (Littleton, Colo. / Chatfield), Dylan Hatajik (East Lyme, Conn. / East Lyme) and Tyler Jones (North Olmsted, Ohio / North Olmsted) will provide depth behind Weas.
 
"Brady is looking really good right now," Henderson said. "He has a lot of zip on the ball and the accuracy is right where we need it. Behind him is a freshman that's been looking pretty good in Tyler Jones. He's doing a really good job and he'll probably be up there on the depth chart with Isaac Schley and Dylan Hatajik. Those four guys have worked at it and that is a position we can't be too deep at."
 
Georgetown will travel to Davidson on Aug. 31 for the season opener before hosting Marist in the home opener on Sept. 7. Tickets for the 2019 season will go on sale later this week. For more information and to purchase after tickets become available, please visit WeAreGeorgetown.com/football.