Week Four's Overnight Sensation: Nik Constantinou, Punter

Each Monday during the 2021 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance and earned the distinction of being the week’s ‘Overnight Sensation.’ 

When your offense struggles, a punter who can flip the field is certainly a weapon.

At least the Aggies have that in sophomore punter Nik Constantinou.

In what was an abysmal 20-10 loss to Arkansas in Arlington, the Aussie's importance was again on display. Constantinou was thrust into action eight times and averaged 45.75 yards per punt, including a long of 57.

Five of Constantinou's punts were downed inside Arkansas' 20-yard line as the Melbourne native routinely provided the Razorbacks with less-than-favorable field position. Three of his boots traveled 50 or more yards.

Aside from stars like Isaiah Spiller, DeMarvin Leal and Jaylon Jones, Constantinou may be the only other Aggie performing near an All-American level. The punter was named last week's SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance vs. New Mexico, and if the Aggies had found a way to complete the comeback on Saturday, Constantinou would've likely repeated as the league's special teams honoree.

Through four games, Constantinou has punted 20 times, a number Jimbo Fisher would surely like to reduce. However, in his frequency, Constantinou has been reliable, averaging 47.0 yards per punt in 2021. Eleven of his 20 punts have been killed inside the 20, and nine have flown 50 yards or more.

Through a third of the season, Constantinou is surely a bright spot inside Bright, and Texas A&M's storied punting tradition seems to be in good hands with Aggieland's resident Australian.

Constantinou's stats vs. Arkansas
Punts: 8
Yards: 366
Average: 45.75
Long: 57
Inside 20: 5

Constantinou's 2021 stats
Punts: 20
Yards: 940
Average: 47.0
Long: 65
Inside 20: 11