Freshman punters aren't usually celebrities, much less less recognized, on college campuses.

This campus hasn't seen a freshman punter like JK Scott, though.

Quickly becoming one of the nation's best punters - and one of Alabama's most valuable players - Scott has picked up a sliver of fame for the work he's done in Year 1.

"It's been great, the Alabama fans are great," Scott said after Alabama's SEC Championship victory in his first interview since enrolling at UA. "Every time I see one in public and they recognize me they'll say 'good job.' There's been good feedback.

"I think it has been a good year."

That it has.

Scott, a Denver native, ranks third nationally in punting average (47 yards per punt). Only one other freshman ranks among the top 50. Of his 48 punts, only 10 were returned for a total of 73 yards. It's just one year, but the early returns have him on pace to dominate the school's punting records.

Of his 48 kicks, 18 have traveled at least 50 yards. Twenty-six have been pinned inside the 20 yard line, almost doubling the output of a productive Cody Mandell in 2013.

"He's going to set every record at Alabama, maybe the conference and the country by the time he's done," said former UA and NFL punter Daniel Pope, who punted for the Crimson Tide from 1995-98. He is second on the school's career punting average list (43.5).

"He can be better than he is right now, that's what is scary," Pope said. "If he ever learns to really, truly directional punt where he could cut the field into thirds - he can do it now, but really be precise - he could be deadly."

Scott has been a force, buoying Alabama when its offense has struggled for stretches of games. Against Arkansas, a 14-13 win, Scott pinned seven punts inside the 20 including six inside the 15. He was named the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week for his effort. Against Mississippi State, what he called his favorite game this season, he put five of seven punts inside the 20 on the way to SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

"The guy's done a phenomenal job, especially thinking that he's just a freshman. You worry about guys like that being able to stay focused on what they need to do to be consistent, which he has done a really, really good job of," Alabama coach Nick Saban said last month. "He has flipped the field position for us a bunch this year."

Scott's ability has been boosted by both training and in literal growth. Once a 5-foot-8, 95 pound freshman in high school, Scott grew seven inches in one year on his way to a 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame, even growing a half inch since he started college. And unlike many other players who adapt to Alabama's workout regiment, Scott utilizes his own unique routine during the year tailored to help his punting.

One of the biggest keys, Scott said, is Pilates.

"It's definitely a process to punting as opposed to another position. It's very specific," said Scott, who has never had one of his punts blocked in a game at any level. "Punting and kicking is very specific in terms of what you need to do in the weight room and flexibility wise. A lot of my workouts revolve around sprint workouts because they're so explosive. I do Pilates, there's a lot of flexibility work that's very important, core work. It's definitely a very unique sport because you know I'm only out there for a couple plays a game, I'm not running around. It's one explosive movement so it's very specific."

People are noticing Scott's efforts. Renowned kicking coach Jamie Kohl, who has worked with kickers and punters currently holding positions on half of NFL teams, is on several search committees that help identify the nation's top kicking and punting talent including the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine game and the NFL Combine.

Even two years before he is eligible, Scott's name is already coming up.

"In four or five of those conversations when we're talking about top guys, JK is already being brought up as a true game-changer," Kohl said. "I know what they look for, and this kid has the makings of the high-caliber NFL player.

"I know that he's made a difference in games, and the biggest thing is that he has a natural ability and can do things that, generally, the punter he's going against can't do. So if it's a field position game, Alabama will have the advantage in every game they play."

Pope, who punted for the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets in three NFL seasons, sees the same thing.

"There's no limit for what he can be," said Pope, now a realtor at Remax Premier Group in Northport. "I haven't seen a punter like this come through in a long time. I mean anywhere."

With a huge season in tow and more to accomplish, Scott, the most impactful freshman punter in the program's history, is trying to take all the success in stride.

"I'm just really worried about what I can do right now to help my team, Alabama," Scott said when asked about the attention he's received this season. "Just keep working because there's always room for improvement. I'm competing with myself as well as some other guys in the nation but I'm really competing against myself to become as good of a punter as I can be."

-Reach D.C. Reeves at 205-722-0196 or dc.reeves@tuscaloosanews.com.