WATCH: Former Florida P Johnny Townsend shows off top-end speed on fake punt
Johnny Townsend’s job is to punt for the Oakland Raiders, but after showing off some speed during a fake punt against the Los Angeles Chargers, he might be used elsewhere to move the ball.
On fourth down and four from Oakland’s 37-yard line, Townsend scampered 42 yards to set the Raiders up at the Chargers’ 21. But the 13-play drive ended without any points.
Some advanced stats from the NFL suggested that Townsend reached a top-end speed of 20.48 m.p.h., which is faster than Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt this season.
Raiders punter Johnny Townsend reached a top speed of 20.48 MPH on his 42-yard run off a fake punt.
That's faster than any speed for Alvin Kamara or Kareem Hunt as a ball carrier this season. #LACvsOAK #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/7WZzi0BntI
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 11, 2018
Townsend is averaging 41.9 yards per punt this season for the struggling Raiders. The rookie was drafted in the fifth round by Oakland out of Florida.
Pulling off fake punts runs in the family this year. Townsend’s younger brother, Tommy, pulled one off for the Gators against Vanderbilt earlier this season.
This is an exceptionally executed fake punt by the Raiders. Put Townsend out wide. Better runner than punter. pic.twitter.com/Y18Iy6LN8U
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) November 11, 2018