Patrick O'Donnell, P

04/21/2013 - Miami leads the ACC in starters returning on offense and defense (19), but the Hurricanes' coaching staff faced a tough challenge this spring looking to replace placekicker Jake Wieclaw and All-ACC punter Dalton Botts. The Hurricanes released their post-spring depth chart on Tuesday, with an announcement regarding a new addition to the roster. Pat O'Donnell, a graduate punter from Cincinnati, will transfer to Miami and spend his last season of eligibility in Coral Gables.

According to the school, O'Donnell has signed a financial aid agreement and is expected to enroll in either the summer of fall semesters. He will be eligible to play in 2013, and the staff has O'Donnell listed as the No. 1 punter on the post-spring depth chart.

Sophomore placekicker Matt Goudis spent the spring working out at kicker and punter, but Miami coach Al Golden indicated that Goudis was more comfortable kicking field goals and handling the kickoff duties. Goudis is listed as the starter at both positions, with O'Donnell named as the No. 2 placekicker.

For O'Donnell, the transfer to Miami is a move home for his final year of college football. O'Donnell was a first-team all-state specialist at Palm Beach Central High School and was named the co-winner of the 2008 Lou Groza Award for the top kicker in Palm Beach Country. - Chip Patterson, CBSSports.com

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Though he isn't likely to generate as much buzz outside of the program as some of UC's flashier athletes, O'Donnell makes the cut because, frankly, he's among the more intriguing punter prospects in the entire country.

Perhaps most intriguing about O'Donnell is the fact that he not only beat the Big East competition by two full yards a year ago in punt average (43.8), he also served as the team's kickoff specialist.

Blessed with great size, a strong leg, surprising overall athleticism and developing touch to pin opponents deep in their own territory, O'Donnell has all of the physical traits scouts are looking for. Coach Butch Jones characterized O'Donnell as one of his team's best athletes ? quite a rarity for a punter.

--Rob Rang