TEMPE, Ariz -- Of all the things Arizona State coach Todd Graham might lose sleep over nearing the start of the 2013 season, his second in Tempe, don't count the prospect of playing freshmen at place kicker and punter among them.
"I've got a lot of confidence in those guys," Graham said. "It's something I should probably be more worried about than I am, but I'm really not that worried about it."
The Sun Devils appear likely to open the season with newcomers Zane Gonzalez and Matt Haack handling place kicking and punting duties, respectively. And that's just fine with Graham.
Graham holds both kickers in high regard. ASU worked hard to land Haack, a left-footed punter, out of Dowling High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, as a successor to second-team All-Pac-12 punter Josh Hubner.
Then, in the spring, ASU made Gonzalez, a highly touted kicker and soccer player out of Deer Park, Texas, a late addition to its 2013 signing class in hopes he'd solve the kicking woes that could have easily cost ASU a game last season but did not.
Gonzalez and Haack were the only newcomers to practice with veterans in a morning session when ASU opened camp Tuesday, and with fall camp just a few days in, both have already made strong impressions.
"I thought that was really exciting to watch Zane," Graham said after ASU's first practice. "I don't think he missed a field goal today, so he was very impressive. And Matt's got a big-time leg, and that left foot is a wicked punt."
The last time ASU had a freshman punter, Thomas Weber in 2007, he ended up winning the Lou Groza Award as college football's best kicker. Expectations may not be that high for Gonzalez, but he's at least expected to solidify what was a weakness in 2012.
Last season, Alex Garoutte and walk-on Jon Mora combined to go 15 for 23 on field-goal attempts. Mora was 9 for 12 after taking over kicking duties halfway through the season. ASU never had a game hinge on a field-goal attempt of its own, but that's a trend unlikely to last two seasons.
Gonzalez knows he's expected to contribute right away and bolster ASU's kicking game. That's no small request of a freshman who's yet to attempt a field goal in a college game.
"I don't think about it, or try not to think about it," Gonzalez said of those expectations. "I just ignore it, act like it ain't even there."
But Gonzalez is confident in himself. He was perfect on field-goal attempts his senior season of high school, and getting a vote of confidence from the coaches helps, too.
"I'm pretty confident, but I don't let it get in my head," Gonzalez said. "When it gets in my head is when I have a problem."
Haack is just as confident, trusting his ability will earn him the punting job over walk-on Dom Vizzare.
"For me, it's all about preparation and mental toughness," Haack said. "If you come out here and prepare like you're going to play, prepare like you're competing for a championship every day, you'll be ready."
While Gonzalez's job presents opportunities to contribute on the scoreboard, Haack could become a weapon as well. His left-footedness makes him a bit of a rarity among punters, something Graham knows all too well.
"I fumbled two punts in my career, (both) in the same game against a left-footed punter," Graham said. "It does have a different spin to it, and it's tough to handle. They tend to pull the ball across their body some, so the ball will tail to the right big-time. It's just different. Everything about it's different."
Haack gave credence to that notion in a practice this week when two of his punts were muffed, frustrating the returner trying to receive them. On top of his left-footedness, Haack can punt rugby style -- with either foot -- which adds a dimension.
"My high school gave me the option to run if I saw an opening," Haack said. "I guess if they put it in, I'll be up for it."
Graham has said ASU will try to work that into its special-teams plans. Haack was also a receiver in high school and has worked with receivers early in camp, but he's not likely to see the field in that role this season.
"I don't get a whole lot of reps, but I'm still learning and getting my feet wet just in case they need me," Haack said.
That's probably unlikely. What ASU needs is stability at two key special-teams positions, regardless of age or experience. Graham is confident he has that in Gonzalez and Haack, allowing him to expend more energy on other pressing position battles.
"We've got two really talented guys coming in," Graham said. "I think Zane and Matt are really, really talented. I think they can handle it, so we'll see."
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