Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | PUNT | YDS | AVG | LONG | IN20 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 8-34@ Virginia | 7 | 327 | 46.7 | 58 | 3 | |
| Wk 2 | W 73-0vs Richmond | 1 | 35 | 35.0 | 35 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 362 | 40.9 | 58 | 3 |
#96
Jackson Waller
Junior punter for NC State. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′2″ · 214 lb · Katy, TX · Taylor
Transferred Arkansas State → NC State for 2026
The numbers
45.3
yards per punt · 2026
8 punts · long of 58 · 3 inside the 20
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 7 punts, 46.7 avg, at Virginia
The story
3 punter for NC State. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
- Signed with SMU in 2024.
Jackson Waller
Handles the punting job without giving the return man a lane. Two head coaches in two seasons, at two different programs.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
His career
2024
- Signed with SMUout of Katy
Career arc
HS
Recruit
—
CFB
College
2 teams
NFL
NFL Draft
—
Where He Ended Up · Transfer
Transferred to NC State
2025Arkansas State
2026NC State
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2025Arkansas State7-6HC: Butch Jones · Balanced
2026NC State1-1HC: Dave Doeren · Run-leaning, slow tempo
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Not enough tracked stats yet to summarize this season.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Dave Doeren
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 73–0
vs Richmond
Game log
How he plays
Play style
Handles the punting job without giving the return man a lane.
CFB Index positional classification
DNA match
Player DNA
Steady
Handles the punting job without giving the return man a lane.
P
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Michael Kern’s 2025 season.
Matches Michael on
Class year
Height
Yards / punt
Differs from Michael on
Weight (higher)
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Liam Dougherty's freshman season at Houston (2024).
Matches Liam on
Weight
In-20 rate
Yards / punt
Differs from Liam on
Class year (lower)
Player DNA
Players who play like Jackson Waller
Background
AS A RS-FRESHMAN (2025 AT ARKANSAS STATE): • Starting punter in all 13 games for the Red Wolves, he placed 19 of his 59 kicks inside the 20. • Had eight 50+ yard boots. • Averaged 41.3 yards per punt. AS A FRESHMAN (2024 AT SMU): • Did not appear in any games. HIGH SCHOOL: • Played at Taylor High...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology