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36 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 f r e c r u i t i n g f e a t u r e : a u s t i n m c g e h e e BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com I t's a common sight in Indiana. Homes here often have a bas- ketball hoop in the driveway, or one attached to a barn, or perhaps even on a miniature court in the back- yard. Those in Arkansas might be the same, although probably with less frequency. But one house in the Pine Bluff, Ark., where signee Austin McGehee resides, is a bit different from the rest; it has not a basketball hoop in its backyard, but a different type of sports equipment entirely. "I wouldn't believe it when I heard it, but you drive up to his house and outside, he has a field goal post, and he kicks and punts," Purdue assistant coach Marcus Freeman said. "This guy just wants to be great. I don't know how many specialists do that, but this guy works his tail off to improve every single day." The posts were erected about three years ago, when McGehee's dad set about constructing them at their ranch. They're standard collegiate height and width, built of a metal that can withstand battering by wind and weather. Since, McGehee's used the posts countless times, get- ting in kicks as often as possible, to the point where he's worn out his leg on occasion. "I was just out there two days ago and it's 15 degrees here," he said in mid-February. "Up there (in Indiana), it's cold too, but down here we get more of a wind chill. So I've got wind blowing in my face. "Coach Freeman came down a week before signing day and went out and I punted in front of him. I hit about 10 balls and he said, 'All right, you're ready for this level. I can't stay out here any longer.' " McGehee works hard on his craft, which is good con- sidering his list of potential duties in West Lafayette is expanding. Purdue recruited the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder as a punter, where the Boilermakers have a void following the graduation of Ray Guy finalist Cody Webster. But struggles elsewhere in the kicking game — Thom- as Meadow's kickoffs were shorter-than-ideal and Paul Griggs made only half his field goal attempts last season — have opened the door for other possibilities. And the ultra-confident McGehee is readying to com- pete at all three. "I'm going to try to do all three no matter what," he said. "I do understand that me being a freshman and Paul and Thomas being juniors, they feel like they have some- thing to lose. I understand they're going to be my friends and my peers, the group of guys I hang out with at Pur- due. … But when it comes down to it, I have to do what I have to do and I plan on starting at all three facets as a freshman. Nothing fazes me." Last season, McGehee hit 10-of-13 field goals, includ- ing a game-winner, to help Pine Bluff High School to the Putting In Work McGehee likely to punt but could do more At Pine Bluff High School, signee Austin McGehee punted, place-kicked and kicked off. He could do all three at Purdue, as well.