“You shouldn’t dream your film, you should make it!” This is one of the most hard-hitting lines said by the American filmmaker and pioneer of the modern blockbuster Steven Spielberg. One that Kyle Ulbrich will most certainly relate to. The former Middle Tennessee State University punter is not just dreaming his dream, but working on living it! But what is Kyle’s dream?

As training camps kicked off, Ulbrich was right on the doorstep of the Miami Dolphins’ practice facility in South Florida. On July 23rd, he tweeted photos of himself accompanied by signs flaunting his collegiate punting stats and screaming for an opportunity. You must have guessed by now that he’s running this campaign to become a punter for the Dolphins. “It’s always a dream until it becomes a reality. I just want an opportunity to prove myself. #gofins,” his tweet read.

The placards were quite innovatively presented with one sign, even having a QR code leading to his website. He also added a playful nod to the Phins’ placekicker Jason Sanders, offering to double as the holder, with the sign reading, “Sanders, I can hold your balls better.” What playbook would you place this in? Never mind the cheekiness, he was nailing it. Sanders won the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his playoff-clinching performance as the Dolphins beat the Cowboys 22-20 on December 24, 2023.

But it did not stop there! One sign even got cheeky: “Kyle Ulbrich For Punter 2024.” Appearing on the Dolphins Talk podcast, Kyle Ulbrich explained his inspiration for the campaign, and gave backstory. The punter said, “You know, I already wasted one year of my prime last year unemployed, so I figured I might as well try to get my face in there before training camp. I know the NFL takes a few hours out of the day with all the paperwork, documents, physicals, and doctor’s appointments. So, I figured I might as well try before the season to avoid worrying about all that during.”

No time for a breather – the former collegiate punter is ready. While Ulbrich’s enthusiasm is on point, making the Dolphins’ roster won’t be a walk in the park. He’s got a long road ahead, facing stiff competition. But how prepared is he to handle the pressure and expectations of pro football?

Kyle Ubrich is undefeated at the Hard Rock Stadium

“On the field, pressure is by far the most difficult aspect of being a punter. Punting requires an intense amount of focus and skill. Every punt has a direct impact on where the other team starts with the ball, so getting distance and proper placement is critical.” This is what the former punter Steve Weatherford told USA Today in 2015. For those of you wondering, to this date, Weatherford holds the record for Illinois’ season punt average with 45.4 set in 2004. So, is Kyle Ulbrich chasing after a long-lost dream of his?

Let’s dive into Ulbrich’s playbook. Over four college seasons, he averaged a solid 44.5 yards per punt, with 67 of those rockets flying past 50 yards. In 2022, he made first-team All-C-USA. Then, in 2023, he hit his stride at MTSU with a career-best 47.1-yard average, earning All-Conference honors. Not too shabby, right? There’s more. He knows how to get the attention of the Dolfans with this sign: “Undefeated at Hard Rock!” If that’s the name of the game, then fair dues. But wait, who’s he up against?

Enter Jake Bailey, the Phins’ current punter. Drafted by the Patriots in 2019, Bailey had his best season in 2020, booming punts at an impressive 48.7-yard average. This stellar performance earned him a 2021 Pro Bowl nod. Talk about a tough act to follow!

But hey, in the NFL, it’s all about taking your shot and making every opportunity count. Kyle’s got the stats, the confidence, and the cheekiness. But has he got the patience? Let’s see.