One under-the-radar name New England Patriots fans will have to keep tabs on heading into the 2020 season is Will Hastings.
Hastings was signed by the Pats as an undrafted free agent in April, much to the delight of his former Auburn teammate Jarrett Stidham. The 23-year-old joined the Tigers as a kicker in 2015, then was converted to wide receiver later on in his college career.
Download the MyTeams app for the latest Patriots news and analysis
On a new episode of the Next Pats Podcast, Phil Perry talks with Hastings' high school football coach at Pulaski Academy, Kevin Kelley. Kelley talks about using Hastings at kicker and receiver during his high school years and how that versatility benefited him later on.
Listen and subscribe to the Next Pats Podcast:
"He was always going to be my kicker. He did kick in seventh grade and up ... but then I wanted to play him at receiver as well," Kelley told Perry. "Not many people know this, I mean I think he might have been the best receiver in our state his senior year. Only two players in the history of Arkansas have had 2,000 yards receiving in one year, and he's one of those two.
New England Patriots
Find the latest New England Patriots news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
"What I love about him being a kicker is, I've gone to a lot of NFL practices and watched NFL kickers, and they play one position ... All my kickers, including Will, were position players. After he scored a touchdown he'd have to go ahead and kick the extra point, then he'd have to trot out there and kick the kickoff ... Will was in pressure situations all the time, and I think that made him better as a kicker, and I think it made him better as a receiver."
Hastings' secret talent? His ability to convert onside kicks.
"He was a great onside kicker," said Kelley. "He was a kid who was a magician with the football ... I could tell him exactly where to hit the ball with his foot, and it would do amazing things and give us a chance to get the ball back."
The Patriots drafted Marshall kicker Justin Rohrwasser in the fifth round of this year's draft, so it looks like they're all set at that position for the time being. But it certainly sounds like they can lean on Hastings in case of emergency.
Kelley (known as the coach who never punts) discussed his bold strategy, whether Hastings can crack the 53-man roster, and much more on the new episode.
Check out more of the Next Pats Podcast on the NBC Sports Boston Podcast Network or watch on YouTube below: