Ian Kelly, Charlotte P: the 2026 season story
Ian Kelly is a freshman punter for Charlotte (American Athletic). He ranks 114th of 232 punters in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every punter on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Ian Kelly's strongest measure is gross punt average at 43.2, 70th of 134 (the average is 43.6). His weakest is touchbacks at 9%, 104th of 134 (the average is 6%).
Against every punter
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of punter he is. Among ranked punters he sits, on average, in the 35th percentile for efficiency and 36th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 9 games, Ian Kelly's best came in week 5 against Memphis and his quietest in week 10 at UAB.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Ian Kelly is 89th of 134 FBS punters and 9th of 14 in the American Athletic. Next up nationally is Ethan Pulliam of Mississippi State, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Punters like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Bryan Hansen of West Virginia.
