Belle Vernon’s Guess could be WPIAL’s most talented kicker

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, July 31, 2018 | 8:03 PM

When it comes to kicking and punting a football, Belle Vernon’s Guess is not as good as yours — he’s probably a lot better.

Cameron Guess, an incoming junior, is on the fast track to becoming a Division I college player with his booming kicks, post-splitting accuracy and hanging punts. And while he has flown under the radar like so many top special teams contributors do as they find their way, his stock is rising.

Guess already has drawn attention from a number of larger programs, including Pitt, Syracuse and Ohio University, a byproduct of his accelerated reputation within Kohl’s Kicking Camps.

The national camps bring hundreds of strong-legged prospects together in one place over the summer and rate their performances. Scholarships are rare for kickers and punters as the highest level so any format that makes analyzing them easier for college coaches only can increase their chances at roster spots.

“It’s like the ESPN rankings for kicking and punting,” said Guess, who connected on 31 extra points and 26 touchbacks last season for the Leopards. His longest punt tracked 61 yards. “They really help to get your name out there. Next year, I am going to take game-day visits to Ohio State, Toledo, Syracuse, Pitt and Ohio. I didn’t expect to talk to schools until I was a senior.”

The five-star Guess is ranked the No. 5 best punter and No. 12 kicker in the nation by Kohl’s in the Class of 2020.

“Cameron Guess is one of the more talented specialists we have seen in the Northeast region in the last two to three years,” Kohl’s camp director Jamie Kohl said. “His leg speed is different. If he can continue to stay grounded and work hard, his potential is outstanding and he should have a pick of good schools to choose from.”

And to think Guess did not start kicking until his freshman year. He played youth football, yes. But soccer has been the common denominator in his family for decades, and he has been a top player at Belle Vernon. He still is weighing the pros and cons of playing two sports this season, however, as fall practice creeps closer.

His father, Larry, played soccer at Virginia Tech and Pitt after starring at South Park. His brothers, Jared and Jackson, played in high school and his sister, Adeline, is about to begin her prep career.

“It’s tough because soccer is so big in my family. Everyone plays,” Cameron Guess said. “But football got me hooked. I have talked to my dad about maybe not playing (soccer) this year, and he said it’s up to me. He knows how much I love football and understands the reasons. He said it’s my decision.”

A fullback and linebacker in youth football, Guess was invited to try out as a kicker when he was a ninth-grader. Gradually, he learned form and technique.

“It was bad in the beginning, but I started to get the hang of it,” he said. “You have to learn to make different contact with the ball. There is a small spot on the football you have to hit. You can pretty much hit a soccer ball anywhere and be okay.”

Now, he has a soft spot for football, and his transition to the game has been mostly seamless. His coach saw his talent right away. Guess is a weapon other teams could loathe as much as they envy: He controls field position and adds bonus scoring.

“From his freshmen year the potential was there,” Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert said. “The leg strength he possessed in practice and in games was an indicator that if he wanted to do this post-high school, and was serious about it, he could make a name for himself.

“He has put some mileage on this offseason with different camps and competitions.”

With two full seasons left at Belle Vernon and more camps ahead, Guess knows he will have to continue his upswing, maintain his high standing and produce on Friday nights.

“You need consistency to play at the next level,” said Guess, who has made a 44-yard field goal in a game and once nailed one from 62 yards in practice. “That’s what the coaches want to see. You need to hit your ‘A’ ball every single time.

“I want to have a greater impact this year. I want to hit game-changing field goals and help us make a run at a WPIAL title.”

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Belle Vernon