Benson Ashley is UNC’s young leg with a live-football pulse
In the 2026 season, Northern Colorado sophomore kicker/punter Benson Ashley is already handling game action, including a 23-yard field goal and a kickoff touchback in the opener, which signals the staff trusts his leg in real situations[1][10][14]. At 6-foot-3 and around 200 pounds, he brings uncommon size for a specialist, and his background as a combo kicker/punter plus a solid prep ranking profile suggests upside and versatility[1][6]. He’s a fit if you want a developmental specialist with range, upside, and room to grow after an early blocked PAT hiccup[12][13].
