2012 Spartan Nation Football Profile: #3 P/K Mike Sadler
Expectation:Â All American Punter
Height:  6’
Weight:Â #186
2012 Eligibility: Red Shirt Sophomore
EXP:Â 1 Letter
Status:Â Starting Punter
Strengths: Mike Sadler is as dominating at his position as William Gholston is to his. I have several great examples for you. Spartan Nation heralded Sadler as one of the top recruits of his class when he came to MSU and we were quickly scoffed at.  Only when people learned what we knew at Spartan Nation that Saban at Bama, Miles at LSU, and Kiffin at USC all made the hard push for Sadler. He has proven himself quickly.
It is Dantonio’s goal that with each punt the Spartans have a +39. He has been quoted often as saying, “The punt is the most important play in football.â€Â I agree.
When I talk about the play of Sadler and the MSU punting game, some will bring up that MSU statistically was not amongst the elite; a fact I do not dispute, but I do hold a caveat.
With MSU having such a high power offense, he was not often in position to display the kicks that give the high average. Let me give a great example. Against OSU, the Spartans were punting on 4th and three at the OSU 44 with 2:26 on the clock. Sadler delivered a great punt with superior hang time that made the Buckeye call for the fair catch at the 12 yard line. It was a net gain of 32, so below the per gain goal, but when you look at it, it was an NFL caliber play. He had the leg to get the height to get the fair catch, but also the control to not send it to the end zone. A great punt in reality, a poor punt on paper. That is why sometimes stats lie.
Here is another. In the Outback Bowl, the Spartans were punting facing a 4th and 10 in the 2nd quarter. With 13:38 on the clock the Spartans were at their own 41.
Sadler got ahold of the ball and kicked it like a red-headed step child. It was downed at the UGA 12 for an amazing 47 yard blast that any NFL punter would have been proud of. Again, it was a game changer.
Against OSU the Spartans were facing a 4th and nine at their own 42. With 12:43 on the clock in the 1st quarter there was a horrendous snap. Under big pressure, Sadler got the ball, ran to his right and rugby style booted a 38 yard punt. Again it was under the goal of 39 yards, but it was an amazing display of athleticism.
Something not regulary heard about a punter.
Finally, we look at the UM game. In the 1st quarter, the Spartans had a 4th and one at the UM 46 with 1:17 on the clock.  Sadler drilled the ball and it had perfect
rotation and landed at the six. Again, it was a big game moment and pinned the Wolverines deep in their own territory.
Weakness: You only need look at the Nebraska game. When the Spartans could do nothing right, Sadler pressed to make the 60 yard kick rather than getting off the 40 yarder, simply trying to make a play. He tries to do too much and at times need to just do his job.
Final Analysis: Sadler came into MSU as one of the best K in the nation also, not only as a P. Spartan coaches were not pleased with their ability on kickoffs last season to get the ball to the endzone. This year with a rule change (moving kicks up) it WILL NOT be tolerated. If Kevin Muma continues to struggle, they will look anywhere for someone who can do it and Sadler has already proven he can in high school.
Sadler has one road block potentially to an NFL career after he graduates. He is a near perfect student, he will graduate this spring (as a redshirt sophomore) and will immediately begin his Master’s program. He will complete his Masters on time for his eligibility to be complete. Every day it looks more and
more viable that Sadler could possibly get a Rhodes Scholar invitation and knowing him, may say to the NFL, “You can wait.â€
He is exactly what you want in a young man. Not only as your son, but as a football player and young person that represents your school.
Next up:Â #10 LB Chris Norman
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