Jordan Stout continues to improve and impress

The third-year punter had an “outstanding” performance in the preseason opener and could factor into the Ravens strategy for the dynamic kickoff

Due to the lack of potent or even consistent offense in the Baltimore Ravens’ preseason-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, third-year Jordan Stout punter saw the field early and often this past Friday and acquitted himself exceptionally well.

“I thought Jordan stout had a really good night,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said Tuesday. “He punted the ball outstanding.

Stout attempted half a dozen punts and racked up 309 yards with a whopping average of 51.5 yards per boot with a long of 64. His punts were high with good hang time that allowed his coverage team to limit returns and in the one instance they didn’t, he made the stop himself by hitting Eagles returner Britain Covey with a nice hit for a solo tackle.

“It’s the thing we saw from him throughout his college career,” Horton said. “The kid’s got a strong leg. He can bomb the ball. We’ve got to allow him to be himself and just find that consistency. We want him to be the player that we saw, that we drafted in the fourth round. He’s coming along well. [Senior Special Teams Coach] Randy [Brown] and [Assistant Special Teams Coach] Sam [Koch] are doing a great job with him out here, just dialing in the little details.”

The Ravens want Stout to be more than just a big leg who only tries to flip the field with a booming kick. They want him to continue refining the detailed aspects of becoming an elite punter such as directional punting to make it more difficult for returners to field and try to run back.

Fortunately, Stout has one of the Godfathers of that exact art to learn from in Koch who developed dozens of directional punts during his 16-year career with the Ravens before retiring shortly after they drafted his replacement.

“I think that’s one of the biggest things we focus a lot on,” Horton said. “You’re cutting off a third of the field, not giving that returner anywhere to go. He’s a guy that can do it. Again, we’ve got to find that consistency.”

Having Koch as a coach assisting in his maturation as a player has been an invaluable resource for Stout who sees him more as a “big brother” and ideal role model to follow who left big shoes to fill.

“Anytime I’m struggling or having a good day [or] a okay day, he has advice to give me,” Stout said Thursday. “I go back and watch his tape and just somewhat try to replicate what he does in terms of consistency and ball placement. He really was one of the best and learning from him everyday is great.”

One aspect of his game that Stout has been not only consistent but the best in the league, per senior special teams coach Randy Brown, is holding for seven-time Pro Bowl kicker Justin Tucker. The future Hall of Fame specialist holds himself and those around him who are part of the entire operation for field goals and extra points to a high standard of excellence and execution.

“You’re Jordan Stout and you’re following Sam Koch who is arguably the greatest holder to ever play the game,” Brown said Thursday. “Jordan has now had a chance to learn from Sam and learn from Justin. I would say today that Jordan is the best holder in the National Football League.”

Stout was flattered by the lofty praise from his coach and made sure to share the credit with and praise his coaches and fellow specialists for pushing him to excel and holding him accountable.

“It means a lot because that’s high praise coming from Randy,” Stout said. “I couldn’t do it without Justin, couldn’t do it without Randy, couldn’t have done it without Sam Koch (and) can’t do it without [long snapper] Nick [Moore]. Without those guys, it’s not possible.”