Why Off The Uprights Exists

Off The Uprights was created to spotlight the kickers, punters, and long snappers whose discipline and resilience shape the game in ways most fans never fully see.

But it exists for something even deeper.

It exists for the families walking beside them.

Because the specialist journey is different.

It is patient.
It is technical.
It is often misunderstood.
And it can feel isolating when you don’t know what to expect.

This platform exists to:

• Tell the real stories behind the reps
• Break down what development actually looks like
• Bring honesty to recruiting conversations
• Provide clarity in a process that often feels overwhelming

This isn’t highlight culture.

This is preparation culture.

What Makes The Specialist Path Different

Specialists don’t get rhythm.

They get moments.

They are evaluated on precision.
Measured on consistency.
And remembered for singular outcomes.

Recruiting works differently.
Development works differently.
Pressure works differently.

And most families are trying to figure it out in real time.

That’s where Off The Uprights steps in.

More Than Stories — Real Guidance For Families

Over the past five years walking this path with my son, I learned something quickly:

There is no roadmap handed to specialist families.

No clear explanation of camps.
No honest breakdown of showcases.
No simple guide to connecting with coaches.
No filter for what truly matters and what is just noise.

We had to learn by doing.
By making mistakes.
By asking questions no one had clear answers to.

Off The Uprights now exists to make that road clearer for the next family.

Specialist Consulting & Parent Guidance

This is where experience meets clarity.

I now offer consultations designed specifically for:

• Parents of 2027–2029 specialists trying to understand where to begin

• 2026–2027 athletes entering critical camp seasons

• Families overwhelmed by showcase options and recruiting advice

• Athletes unsure how to connect with coaches the right way

Consultations include:

• Camp strategy planning
• Showcase evaluation — what matters and what doesn’t
• Film review feedback and presentation guidance
• Networking strategy on X and direct communication advice
• Honest conversation about where your athlete truly stands
• Timeline planning based on graduation year

No hype.
No inflated promises.
Just clarity.

Because recruiting is not about chasing noise.

It’s about positioning yourself correctly when opportunity shows up.

For The Parents

You are carrying weight too.

You are investing time.
Money.
Energy.
Belief.

You want to support your athlete without pushing too hard.
You want to guide without overstepping.
You want to protect without limiting opportunity.

This page exists for you just as much as it does for them.

Because behind every composed specialist is a family choosing patience when it would be easier to panic.

What You’ll Find Here

• High-energy athlete features that tell the full story
• Recruiting insight rooted in development and trust
• Practical strategy for camps and coach communication
• Honest breakdowns of the specialist journey
• Real conversations about pressure, patience, and growth

This platform captures what lives behind every rep.

Not just what happened.

But what it took to be ready.

The Standard

At Off The Uprights:

Respect is earned through preparation.
Trust is built through consistency.
Opportunity belongs to those who are ready when the moment comes.

Specialists are not afterthoughts.

They are difference-makers.

And their families deserve guidance grounded in experience — not guesswork.

Let’s Build It The Right Way

If you’re a specialist chasing development…
If you’re a parent trying to navigate recruiting without losing perspective…
If you want clarity instead of chaos…

Let’s talk.

Because the moment will come.

And when it does — preparation decides everything.

A Founder’s Message

My name is Peter Rudd, creator of Off The Uprights.

My passion for telling specialist stories comes from watching my son, Trace, grind through a five‑year journey to earn a college kicking scholarship. Along the way, I saw every perfect kick, every miss, every pressure moment and every unseen hour of work it took to reach his goal.

When Trace committed to OU, media outlets began publishing their “stories” about him.

But what I read wasn’t a story at all.

It was a list high school stats, recent camp numbers, and generic information pulled from social media. There was nothing about who he was, what he had overcome, or the real context behind his ability as a specialist.

That’s when it fully hit me:

Specialists are almost always a footnote in college recruiting even though they can completely change the outcome of a game.

I started Off The Uprights to change that.

My goal is to help connect future college teams, coaches, media outlets, and fan bases to the specialists joining their programs so they can truly understand and appreciate the athletes they’re about to cheer for.

These players deserve more than numbers on a page.
More than a brief headline announcing a commitment.

They deserve their story told with accuracy, depth, and respect for the craft they’ve dedicated themselves to mastering.

That’s the standard here.

And that’s why Off The Uprights exists.