The Final Cockdown: #19 Landon Ard

Landon Ard

5'9" / 182 lbs.
RS Senior
Placekicker
Rock Hill, SC (South Pointe HS)

Recruitment
After earning all-area, all-region and all-state honors his senior season, Ard turned down a scholarship offer from Newberry College to test his luck at a spot on South Carolina's roster as a walk-on.

College Career
Ard sporadically made appearances as a kickoff specialist in his first season in 2012 with a total of 13 kickoffs. 2013 saw him take on full responsibility with the Gamecocks handling the kickoffs for the entire season. While taking names and getting touchbacks, Ard also began excelling in the classroom, making the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, his first of two nominations to the prestigious list of academia. Ard had two major accomplishments along with kickoffs in 2014 - a successful onside kick against Auburn (the Gamecocks' first since 2007) and scoring a point against South Alabama. In 2014, Ard registered 36 touchbacks on his 68 kickoffs; 46 percent of his career kickoffs have ended in touchbacks.

2015 Outlook
Going into the season, this fifth-year senior is listed as the second-team place kicker behind the #Friesman, but should continue to handle most of the kickoff duties with Fry kicking the field goals.