John Lawson Thorn '23 Recruiting Profile

Determination, drive, and confidence are all things that I would hope all kickers have, as do I, but what I think sets me apart from the others is what I get from my parents. Entrepreneurial Spirit! Growing up watching and working in family businesses that were started, grown and managed has helped me have the confidence to start kicking, train and grow season over season and learn to manage myself with self-motivation and confidence.

My football-kicking career started a little late as I grew up playing soccer.  When my parents encouraged me to give kicking a try my freshman year, I was willing to, but it still wasn't my passion at that time!  I did make the team, kicked 4 out of 4 PATs that first game ever playing football. We went undefeated that year as a team. I went 22 out of 24 in PATs and 3 for 3 FG with the longest being a 35yd.  I had a great time playing that year with many awesome memories but there was a moment that changed everything for me and that was the season opener game my sophomore year. A game-winning PAT with a 37yd field goal LIT ME ON FIRE and that's when I officially became a converted soccer player! We went undefeated again as a team and I went 25 for 25 in PATs with 4 out of 5 field goals made the second season of playing. Junior year you can see a huge increase in technique and power as I went 69% in kickoff touchbacks with several of those 70+ yds. 

I cant wait for summer football camps, Carolina Bowl All-American game and my senior year season as the best is yet to come and I'm just getting started!