Falls Native Battling For NFL Roster Spot

Falls residents might have a reason to tune into Houston Texans games on Sundays when they aren’t watching the Green Bay Packers work to defend their championship in 2011.

Former Menomonee Falls Indians punter, and all-around athlete, Brett Hartmann is locked in a battle with 14-year veteran Brad Maynard, according to the Washington Post, for the job as punter with the Texans. Hartmann has had the opportunity to showcase his talents for the team during the preseason. Tuesday will be a big day for Hartmann, as the roster will be trimmed from 90 players to 75.

At the age of 24, Hartmann, known as "The Giant", signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent this summer, and has been turning heads at camp. During Saturday’s exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers, Hartmann played the entire game and put a kickoff through the uprights.

Hartmann is averaging 41.8 yards on seven punts in the preseason, with a net of 36.2, according to stats at NFL.com. In the first week of the preseason, Hartmann launched a 52-yard punt against the New York Jets.

Hartmann was a four-year starter playing multiple positions with the Indians and graduated in 2006. During his time with the Indians he was Wisconsin’s top-rated place kicker. He graduated from Central Michigan University in December, and the school’s starting punter for three years. He was named the Chippewas' Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior.

John Kohl, from Kohl’s Kicking Camps, has worked with Hartmann since he was in eighth grade and keeps in contact with him regularly. Kohl said Hartmann is not just a great kicker; he’s one of the top all-around athletes to hail from the Badger State. Kohl's son Jamie sent videos and letters to NFL teams showcasing Hartmann's skills.

“Brett is one of the finest physical to come out of Wisconsin virtually ever,” Kohl said. “He put together the best physical workout, according to a number of NFL scouts of any specialist ever.”

Kohl said Hartmann, who is 6 foot 3 inches and 228 pounds, bench-presses 425 pounds. During his pro day, Hartmann ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.63 seconds, and posted a 34-inch vertical jump. Half of his punts hung in the air for 5 seconds, and he knocked a few 80-yard kickoffs.

Hartmann was scouted to play the tight end position by many schools when he graduated from Falls. He also has a cannon for an arm, and has been recorded tossing a 75-yard bomb.

Kohl said Hartmann didn't get to show off his true NFL talents during his time with Central Michigan. The program hired several different coaches during his tenure, and many utilized the "rugby" punt, which is a low line-drive, rolling punt.

“We’ve seen Brett do amazing things for four years,” Kohl said. “It’s gonna be a horse race until the finish, but I would bet on Brett (making the team).”

Kohl had eight NFL athletes at its camp this summer including Pat McAfee of the Colts, and Thomas Morestead of the Saints. Jamie Kohl said Hartmann is equal to or better than both at kickoffs.

Jamie Kohl said the main thing Hartmann needs to focus on is repeatability and consistency as a punter. A big leg is a plus, but it isn’t the only thing needed to land a roster spot in the NFL.

Hartmann has been a counselor at the Kohls’ camp for the past four years, and John Kohl described him as another son.

“It’s seriously a 50-50 deal. For a first-year guy, and undrafted free agent, that is phenomenal. It’s hard to break into the NFL,” said Jamie Kohl.