Why I Tell Specialist Stories
Special teams athletes often operate in the shadows — yet their impact can decide everything. I created Off The Uprights to bring their stories forward. I shine a spotlight on the kickers, punters, and long snappers whose precision, discipline, and resilience shape the game in ways most fans never see.
My mission is to redefine how specialist talent is covered. Through personal stories, interviews, analysis, and recruiting insight, I capture the dedication behind every rep, every kick, and every high‑pressure moment. This is a space built for the athletes who embrace the challenge, thrive under pressure, and change the outcome with a single play.
Whether you're an athlete, a parent, a coach, or a fan of special teams, you’re part of this community. Here, specialists get the spotlight — and the respect — they’ve earned.
This is where their stories belong — and I’m here to tell them.
Founder Note
I’m Peter Rudd, creator of Off the Uprights. My passion for telling specialist stories comes from watching my son, Trace (OU Commit ’26), grind through a five‑year journey to earn a college kicking scholarship. I saw every perfect kick, every missed kick, every pressure moment, and every ounce of work it took for him to achieve his dream.
When Trace finally committed to OU, media outlets began publishing their “stories” about him. But what I saw wasn’t a story at all. It was a list: high school stats, recent camp numbers, and generic info pulled from social media. There was nothing about who he was, what he had overcome, or the real context of his ability as a specialist.
That’s when it 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.
I want to help connect future college teams, coaches, and media departments to the specialists joining their program so fans can truly appreciate the athletes they’re getting. These players deserve more than numbers on a page and a short “Story” that they committed. They deserve a story — their story — told with accuracy, depth, and respect for their craft.
Thank you
Thank you for supporting this mission. Whether you’re a parent cheering from the stands, an athlete chasing a dream, or a coach shaping the next generation, your belief in special teams fuels this platform. Your engagement helps make sure these athletes finally get the recognition they deserve.
Inspirational Note
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Trace’s journey, it’s this:
Specialists don’t wait for the spotlight — they create their moment.
Every kick, every snap, every rep is a step toward something bigger. And for every specialist out there grinding for an opportunity, remember:
Your work matters.
Your story matters.
And someone out there is ready to believe in you.
Welcome to Off the Uprights.
This is where your story gets told.