HILLSBORO, Ore. - Idaho State has had its share of quality punters come through the program with the likes of Eddie Johnson, Jon Vanderwielen and Kyle McQuown. It's only fitting that this year's Bengal punter, David Harrington, joined the program because of Johnson and is on pace to possibly have the best single-season punting average in Idaho State history.
Harrington has made his mark early in the season as he is averaging almost 45 yards a punt through ISU's first five games and has earned FCS Honorable Mention College Football Performance of the Week twice already this year for his punting.
This season Harrington is averaging 44.8 yards a punt on 29 kicks with a long of 59 that came against Northern Arizona. He has 10 kicks of 50 yards or more and pinned opponents inside the 20 eight times.
Johnson sits a top the Idaho State record book with the best single- season punting average mark at 46.3 yards a kick in 2001 and he averaged 46.3 yards in his career in 2001-02.
The statistics are not what matters to Harrington. If the Marina, Calif. native had his way he would rather not be on the field but when he does have to punt he has personal goals he wants to accomplish
"I don't want any touch backs and I want to put the defense in the best possible position to be successful," Harrington said. "I'd rather not punt because that means we are winning."
Wearing the orange and black nearly never happened for the Bengal punter as he was not recruited out of high school. Harrington went to a Orange Coast Junior College where he excelled and in the off season competed in the Chris Sailer Summer Nike Camp where he won the camp out of the kickers that attended.
"After that I was asked where I wanted to go and I had never been asked that before," Harrington said. "I couple of days later I was asked if I wanted to be a Vol (Tennessee Volunteer) with coach Lane Kiffin. I went through the year as the back-up redshirt."
But when Kiffin left for USC Harrington, who was only a walk-on at Tennessee, knew he needed a scholarship or he would have to go elsewhere. I went to the coaches and three weeks later they said they wouldn't be able to give me a scholarship.
This is where Johnson, the Idaho State career and single-season leader for punting comes in. Johnson and Harrington both played at the same junior college and worked out together in the off season.
"He told me ISU needed a guy so I sent the coaches an email," Harrington said. "He (Johnson) said it was a great place and kicking in Holt was great."
Harrington made his visit to Pocatello in early June, committed to play for coach John Zamberlin and four days later he was back in Pocatello working out with team.
Since coming to Pocatello, Harrington has developed great chemistry with his teammates on and off the field.
"They are a great bunch of guys and I am having a great time," Harrington said. "I am going to school and playing football. That isn't too bad. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am having a great time."
After football, Harrington hopes to one day teach U.S. History and coach high school football. Harrington knows that he still has a lot of football left in him before he starts teaching and he is going to enjoy those Saturday's he has an opportunity to play college football while finishing up his degree.
