Southern University's Marcus Borne (27) celebrates with kicker Joshua Griffin (45) after Griffin's 33-yard field goal against Virginia-Lynchburg during the first half of the Jaguars' homecoming game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 at A.W.
Mumford Stadium. SU led 24-7 at the half. Southern kicker Josh Griffin’s reputation preceded him.
Newcomers to the team this summer said they remembered his 54-yard field goal with eight seconds left to help his team beat Texas Southern last season. Griffin said it’s nice to be remembered but consistency is his focus going into his senior season. He was 7 of 11 on field goals, including 4 of 5 from 40 yards or more, but missed three extra points.
He’s the strongest part of the Southern special teams, which will include a pair of new punters in Kenny Pham and Jaiden Dominguez. “I’m working on my technique in camp this year, trying to improve on my weaknesses like my consistency,” said Griffin, a left-footed kicker from Vicksburg, Mississippi. “I know I have the leg power, but I really want to drill the numbers so I can have a more productive season.
“A lot of the new guys tell me they know me by that kick. I always feel a little humbled by that, I always appreciate it. But I’ve got to keep working harder.
That was last year, so I’ve got to do something better this year.” Griffin was named to the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference second team last year and has been effective with his kickoffs since arriving at Southern. “He has to be consistent,” said coach Terrence Graves, who was the special teams coordinator for the Jaguars the past two seasons.
“Josh is such a talented kicker, he can’t take his leg for granted. Sometimes when you are gifted that way ..
. it’s more mental. “I want him to be consistent in every way, and I’m probably his toughest critic being a special teams coordinator and being a former kicker growing up.
We’re both left footed.” One teammate Griffin is particularly happy about is first-team All-SWAC deep snapper Braxston Blackwell. “Braxston doesn’t get as much credit as he needs,” Griffin said.
“He loves the game, the art of snapping. He drills it 24/7. I look up to him.
I know he’s going to have a great season.” Pham, a junior transfer from Alcorn State, had a small setback in camp with inflammation in his right lung that caused him to miss a few practices. He’s been back more than a week and has his hang time at 4.
4 seconds and getting better. He was the backup at Alcorn last season, punting 14 times for a 32.4-yard average.
“There’s always room for improvement on my distance and hang time,” said Pham, a Port Arthur, Texas, native who also played at Kilgore Community College. “I’m never really satisfied with it. I will get better.
I’m averaging about 4.40 on my hang time. There’s room for improvement on that.
“Coach Graves and coach (Everett) Todd are on me. They both know all phases of special teams, kickoffs, punts and field goals. They’ve been great at leading me on the right path and getting ready for the next game.
” Pham is stepping in for another Alcorn State transfer, Robens Beauplan, who had a strong year for the Jaguars with a 43.7-yard average per punt. Pham is also competing with reserve quarterback Angelo Izzard for the holder’s job.
“Pham has a lot of leg,” Todd said. “We’re at the beginning of camp and all we’ve got to do is keep working with him. We did some averages and he’s already above where I wanted him.
I just want him to be consistent as well.”.
