Twenty questions with former Ohio State punter Drue Chrisman

The time has come. Everybody’s favorite bottle flipper and field position wizard, punter Drue Chrisman is moving on to bigger and better things. And while we’re immensely excited to see what the future holds for one of our favorite players to don scarlet and gray, it just won’t be the same. During his four years at Ohio State, not only did Chrisman make fourth downs less dreadful, he actually made them...fun?

Let’s relive some (and by some, I mean these barely scratch the surface) of the best times we’ve had with Chrisman over the last four years.

Chrisman was a three-star recruit and the No. 1 punter in the 2016 recruiting class. After redshirting his first year, the Cincinnati native took over as the starting punter for the Buckeyes in 2017. His career average of 44 yards per punt is good for fourth in Ohio State history, while his 72 punts placed inside the 20 yard line is the third most in program history. Drue helped Ohio State rank No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 6 in the nation in net punting in 2018 with an average of 41.6 yards. In Ohio State’s 26-6 win against Michigan State in 2018, Chrisman dropped all five of his second half punts inside of the Spartan 6-yard line, and fifteen of his 27 punts last season were downed inside the ten.

Can confirm: the field could not be more flipped if it tried here.

However, still awaiting confirmation on whether or not they’re renaming Spartan Stadium to the “Drue Chrisman Stadium.”

Of course we mustn’t forget when Chrisman relived his high school quarterback days by completing this 21-yard pass on a fake punt in the second quarter of the Big Ten Championship Game vs. Wisconsin.

And then there was the progression of his camp shirts, which also served as relationship status updates between him and his now-wife, Avery.

And last but not least—the bottle flipping. Chrisman is literally a world-renowned bottle flipper, and to say he’s incredibly good at it would be an understatement. I’ll let the videos below do the talking, but even if you already knew this about Chrisman (if you don’t, where have you been?) I urge you to rewatch these. Your mind will be blown all over again.

Like... HOW?

As previously stated, we never thought this day would come. The day that Chrisman would be taking his punting and bottle flipping talents elsewhere. Nevertheless, we’re lucky that he chose Ohio State to spend his college days, and we can’t wait to see where he goes next. Before he gets too busy with training for Ohio State’s pro day taking place on March 30, we caught up with Chrisman to ask him all about life, punting, bottle flipping and more.

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LGHL: What is your most memorable moment from your time at Ohio State?

Chrisman: I think I’m sleeping on the couch tonight if I didn’t say the Spring Game proposal. Happy wife happy life :)

LGHL: If you could sit down and have dinner with anyone — dead or alive — who would it be?

Chrisman: Great grandpa, Drue Chrisman the first. Never met him while he was alive and have heard that I have a pretty similar personality as him.

LGHL: The best advice a coach or mentor has given you?

Chrisman: 90% of the things you worry about don’t happen and the 10% that does isn’t as bad as you thought it would be, so be happy.

LGHL: What song instantly puts you in a good mood?

Chrisman: Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band. They always played that in the locker room after a win. No better feeling than getting dressed to go home after a big win while singing that song.

LGHL: How’s your offseason going? What are your plans as we approach the NFL Draft?

Chrisman: In California right now so pretty great I’d say. Not missing the cold but will be in Columbus the majority of March leading up to Pro Day.

LGHL: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Chrisman: My life is pretty much an open book on social media but something that doesn’t get mentioned much is that I have 5 sisters and no brothers.

LGHL: What is your pet peeve?

Chrisman: Talking too long on the phone

LGHL: How did you find your talent for punting? Was it something you knew you wanted to do from a young age or did you transition to the position later in life?

Chrisman: I enjoyed playing many sports growing up and didn’t really fall in love with punting until the end of high school. I personally liked basketball more than football but injuries from the football season always seemed to get in the way from me playing basketball in high school.

LGHL: Celebrity crush?

Chrisman: Avery Chrisman. Happy wife happy life :)

LGHL: I asked you what your most memorable moment was at Ohio State— what about the funniest memory that stands out? (in the locker room, at practice, on the sideline, etc.)

Chrisman: Basically any moment with the other specialists. There is never a dull moment and a few of the funniest that quickly come to mind certainly aren’t suited for this article.

LGHL: If you were given a last meal, what would it be?

Chrisman: Hawaiian pizza with a side of buffalo mac & cheese, finished off with a root beer float. I would die very happy.

LGHL: You’re clearly a man of many talents. How did you find out you were good at bottle flipping? And is there any other skill you’d like to master in the future?

Chrisman: Although it’s not dead, when it was at its peak in 2016 I was very much apart of the trend and I guess I just never stopped. As far as skills in the future I will be focusing mainly on punting for the time being. If I’m fortunate to play a couple years in the NFL I will continue to expand my circus act.

LGHL: What did you major in?

Chrisman: Family Finance. I plan on being a financial advisor after my athletic career.

LGHL: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Was the NFL ever on your radar before college?

Chrisman: I thought I would play in the NFL but never did I think it would be as a punter. I remember going to Bengals games growing up and picturing myself in Carson Palmers shoes because I was certain that I would be a quarterback. I can’t imagine doing anything other than kicking now though.

LGHL: Who do you look up to as a role model?

Chrisman: My father. Taught me many important life lessons growing up that have developed me into the man I am today.

LGHL: Who on the team did you get along with best?

Chrisman: My best friend Brock Davin. We lived together for a couple years and certainly made my college experience a lot more fun.

LGHL: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Chrisman: Fiji. No particular reason other than I’ve heard it’s beautiful and is one of my favorite water bottle brands.

LGHL: What would be the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery?

Chrisman: Avery would get a shopping spree of a lifetime then invest the majority of the leftovers. Happy wife happy life :)

LGHL: Any advice to Jesse Mirco as he steps into your role?

Chrisman: Just to enjoy the ride. It goes fast and before he knows it, he’ll be 28 and being asked what advice he’d give to the next punter.

LGHL: It’s no secret that Buckeye Nation is going to miss you like crazy —Anything you’d like to tell your fans?

Chrisman: Thank you for the best five years of my life. Buckeye Nation is unlike any other and will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope I’ve made fourth downs a little more exciting these past 4 years and hope to continue making you proud in the future. As always, GO BUCKS!