WVU Punter Oliver Straw Dedicating His Season to Teen Fighting Cancer

WVU punter Oliver Straw has some extra motivation to be at his best this season. Straw is dedicating every punt he lands inside the opponent’s 20-yard line to help a West Virginia teenager fight cancer.

Straw announced the news while posting video of him telling Landen Jaggie, a teenager from Clarksburg, W.Va., about his pledge.

“I wanted to let you know that I am going to be dedicating every punt that goes inside the 20-yard line to you this year. And hopefully I can get some support behind it,” said Straw to Jaggie.

This year I am dedicating every punt I land inside the opponent’s 20-yard line this year to help Landen Jaggie, a teenager from Clarksburg, WV, to help him punt cancer. Pledge a donation at the link in bio to help support Landen. Let’s Go Eers!https://t.co/KvfMQAveZd pic.twitter.com/yNYMQV8akx

— Oliver Straw (@Ollie_Straw) August 29, 2024

And if Straw picks up where he left in 2023, his campaign should be a great help to the kid.

In 2023, Straw held a 43.0 average from 42 punts in 13 games. Straw’s longest was for 61 yards, just two yards shy of his best as a Mountaineer. He posted a 42.5 average from 49 punts his first college season in 2022, being named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week multiple times.

Straw is also ready to make an impact beyond just pinning the opposing offense back deep in their own territory.

When asked by reporters if he’s ready to make a tackle on a return, Straw responded that he hopes he doesn’t have to be in that position but that he does have dreams of “making a Pat McAfee-like tackle” sometimes.

What Made Pat McAfee Appear in WVU Punter’s Dream?

While McAfee did punt in addition to kicking in college, Straw is likely referring to his NFL highlights when bringing up McAfee making a tackle. McAfee was actually credited with making 21 total tackles during his eight-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.

But if needed, Straw will be ready. The Australian-born punter says he’s in much better physical shape now than he was last year. He called his body “revamped” following an offseason knee procedure and feels good after a great offseason from a conditioning standpoint.