For a true freshman playing a significant role on one of four remaining national title contenders, JK Scott doesn’t seem too fazed by the moment. While many would start to feel the pressure of the moment, Alabama’s All-SEC punter just worries about one thing.

“The only thing I can do is worry about what I can do on the next kick,” Scott said.

So far, the one-kick-at-a-time approach has paid dividends for one of the nation’s very best punters. Through Alabama’s 13 games this season, Scott ranks third in the country with a 46.7 yard average, and he leads the country with 26 of his punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line — more than 54 percent of his attempts.

So far, no moment has been too big for the Colorado native. Even in the Tide’s biggest game of the season to date, he handled immense pressure with aplomb.

Midway through the third quarter against Missouri, the snap came in low to Scott, and he had to pick it up off the turf. With Mizzou defenders bearing down on him, he was able to get off a punt downed at the Tigers’ 20. As impressive as it looked to see Scott manage to get off a good kick, the freshman made it sound like old hat.

“The key is to not rush anything and just get down there and pick the ball up, see it there in your face and just take one quick step and get it off,” Scott said. “I had a little bit of experience with that with some of the snaps in high school, a couple over my head, so I’ve been in that situation before. The only thing I can do is just stay calm.”

Despite his high-profile, high-pressure role, Scott isn’t quite a star on an Alabama team full of them. He traveled to the College Football Playoff awards last week as a nominee for the Ray Guy Award, along with teammates Amari Cooper and Landon Collins. While those two get plenty of attention for their highlight plays and pro potential, Scott doesn’t garner the same recognition among his peers.

“No one really knows my face,” Scott said with a grin. “It’s nice, I don’t get recognized around campus.”

Even though his fellow students may not know what he looks like, that didn’t stop the rabid Crimson Tide faithful from screaming his name and asking for autographs as he walked the red carpet at Walt Disney World on Thursday, nor does it stop them from analyzing special teams play.

“I can definitely tell that football is a huge part of the culture, a lot different than Colorado,” Scott said. “All aspects of football, you know, special teams, the punting, I guess you’re going to get attention.”

While Scott called the national attention he got as a Ray Guy nominee “a dream come true,” he made it sound as if there were places he’d rather be than facing a horde of media. Namely, the practice field. And while a national championship ring possibly awaits him less than a month down the road, Scott continues to focus on the one thing he says he can control.

“I try not to think about (any of) it,” Scott said. “I’m not different in any way. The only thing I can do is worry about what I can do on the next kick in the game, so none of that really affected me in any way.”