Players Photos Biography Videos: Zoltan Mesko

Friday, 1 July 2011

Zoltan Mesko

Zoltan Mesko Biography
Career Transactions
Zoltan Mesko was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2010 NFL
Career Highlights
Career GP/GS (Playoffs): 16/0 (1/0)
Set an NFL rookie record for net punting average in 2010 with a 38.4 net average. It is the highest of any rookie punter since the net punting average was first tracked in 1976.
Mesko's career-long 65-yard punt against the Ravens (10/17) was the longest in Patriots history in overtime and the longest for the Patriots since Chris Hanson's 70-yard punt in 2008.
2010 Season
2010 (16/0, 1/0)
Finished with a 38.4 net average to set an NFL rookie record for net punting average. His 38.4 net average is the highest of any rookie punter since the net punting average was first tracked in 1976.
Played in every game, including the Divisional playoff game against the Jets. Finished the season with 58 punts for 2,505 yards (43.2 avg., 38.4 avg.), five touchbacks, 19 downed inside the 20-yard line, and a long of 65.
Made his first career special teams tackle against the Jets (12/6).
Punted three times for 153 yards (51.0 avg.) against the Lions, downing one inside the 20 and recording one touchback (11/25).
Boomed a 65-yard punt in overtime that significantly changed field position, giving the Ravens possession at their own 19-yard line after the Patriots faced a fourth-and-6 from their own 16-yard line (10/17).
College
Was a four-year letterman and starter at punter.
Four-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference (2006-09).
U-M Athletic Academic Achievement (2006-08).
Two-time All-Big Ten first team selection by the coaches and media (2008-09).
Became the first special teams player in school history elected team captain, appearing in 50 career games.
Holds U-M career record for punts and punting yardage with 243 career punts for 10,325 yards.
42.5-yard career average ranks second in school history.
Had 58 punts of 50 yards or better, with a career long of 68 vs. Ohio State (Nov. 17, 2007).
2009 Honors and Awards: CoSIDA Academic All-America first team, Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America second team, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first team, Playboy Magazine All-American, Associated Press All-America second team, Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America second team, Rivals.com All-America second team, Phil Steele's All-America second team, Named to Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Senior All-America second team, SI.com All-America honorable mention and College FootballNews.com All-America honorable mention, Ray Guy Award (finalist), Lowe's Senior CLASS Award (finalist), Danny Wuerffel Trophy (finalist), Recipient of Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award as the top senior scholar on the U-M team, CoSIDA Academic All-District IV first team.
2008 Honors and Awards: Phil Steele's All-America fourth team, Ray Guy Award semifinalist, 2008 All-Big Ten first team (coaches and media), Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award.
First in the Big Ten and 19th nationally in punting average (42.95 avg.) as a junior, punting 80 times for 3,436 yards, both established school records.
Completed a successful fourth down conversion with a 13-yard rush against the Irish.
2007 Honors and Awards: Derek Howard Award winner as Michigan's top hustler, Ray Guy Award and Academic All-America candidate.
Personal
Born March 16, 1986 in Timisoara, Romania and both parents are natives of Romania.
Father is a former professional bowler.
Attended Twinsburg High School (2005).
Most Valuable Performer at the Ray Guy Kicking Academy in 2004.
Played basketball and ran track for two years.
Enrolled in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and was a business administration major.

Zoltan Mesko