Posted: 11/28/07
North Branch grad has eye on NFL
 University of Minnesota-Duluth placekicker Britt Baumann, a 2004 North Branch graduate, ended his college career on Nov. 10 in a 23-13 win against St. Cloud State. |
By Steve Morris
Britt Baumann just finished his college football career as a placekicker with the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and is now aiming to advance his career into the NFL or Arena football league.
Baumann, the son of North Branch boys basketball coach Bill Baumann, said he will work his hardest to make his dream a reality.
Baumann graduated from North Branch High School in 2004 and has spent the last four seasons as the Bulldogs placekicker. In that time, he has made a name for himself as a reliable kicker and has entered the school's record books.
He tied the school record for most field goals made with 28 and most field goal attempts at 48 and he owns the record for most consecutive Points After Touchdowns, at 60.
In addition, he was named the team's most valuable special teams player this season.
On Baumann, UMD head football coach Bubba Schweigert said he improved each year he played.
"He worked hard to keep his position and was a four-year starter. He was a perfectionist throughout his time at UMD. Never satisfied, he spent many of his own resources to receive instruction from one of the finest kicking instructors in all of football. His improved leg strength was the result of hard work and his attention to detail helped him to improve his technique. This made him a reliable kicker and a person we could count on to put points on the board."
Currently, Baumann is working with professional kicking coach Doug Blevins. In the past, Baumann would spend a week or two in the summer working with Blevins but now that is collegiate career is over, he plans to work with him on a regular basis.
In the meantime, Baumann will attend Pro Day event in March where he will be able to showcase his skills to professional scouts. From there, the idea is he will impress the right people and have a chance at making an NFL or Arena league roster.
If the dream comes true, and he gets an NFL contract, he would make at minimum $225,000. Arena League kickers make around $30,000.
"It's going to be hard, there's only 32 spots ... one kicker per team," he said.
To get into the NFL, Baumann said teams look for a kicker who can consistently hit 45-yard field goals. On kickoffs, he said the pros look for a 4.2 second hand time and for balls to land in the end zone.
In the midst of all his football business, Baumann still has to graduate. The physiology major said he will graduate in the summer after he completes an internship.
With graduation near, the idea of no more college football is sinking in for Baumann.
"I will miss hanging out with all the guys," he said.
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