Offense, defense, and special teams. These are the three crucial phases of football where games are won and lost. While Clemson's offense has mostly struggled this season, the defense has been well above average, and the special teams have been so fantastic. This is because Clemson has the best special teams player in the country in one Nolan Hauser. He makes all his kicks, and he can punt, too!
On the season, Hauser leads the country with 23 made field goals on 24 attempts. He has been perfect on all three of his attempts from 50-plus, as well as on his handful of point-after attempts. While he does have a miss in the 40s, to be making 87.5 percent of them is simply remarkable in this day and age of college football. Now, Hauser has even filled in to punt at times for one Jack Smith.
Simply put, Clemson probably has two-to-three of its four wins because of the brilliant right leg of Hauser. While many of the best teams in college football have reliable kickers, what Hauser is doing looks like it will translate marvelously to the next level. There is a certain poise and disposition that he kicks with that cannot be taught. Given how bad this Clemson offense has been, he always delivers.
Nolan Hauser leads the country with 23 FG made.
— Tiger Commenter (@TigerCommenter) November 1, 2026
3-3 from +50
7-8 from 40-49
Perfect on XP’s
Stepped in at punter & has a 46.8 average, which would rank 14th nationally.
Folks, this is greatness. pic.twitter.com/SdljSkvtjp
Clemson fans need to appreciate what Nolan Hauser is doing in real time
Hauser may only be a junior, but the NFL is most certainly in his future. While the chances of him turning pro this offseason like Sammy Brown, Ashton Hampton, and Will Heldt are all expected to is quite slim, Clemson might never have another kicker like him. With that in mind, Clemson fans must cherish every kick Hauser gets to attempt the rest of the way this year, and probably through next fall.
Even if Clemson ends up with the best kicker in the land in 2028, the chances of him playing as well as Hauser has through the first eight games of this year are not great. Add in the fact that Clemson's first three games of the season were all impacted by bad weather, and this make it more impressive. While Hauser did not do a ton versus LSU, he was great against Georgia Southern and North Carolina.
Right now, many playoff-caliber teams would do anything to have a kicker as reliable as Hauser has been for Clemson. When championship football is being played, it often comes down to the critical third phase of the game. Can your team make its kicks? Can it avoid any miscues in coverage? What about in the return game? All year long, Hauser has been nothing short of money for Rich Bisaccia.
To tie a bow on this, Hauser's game has gone up a level because he now gets to work with one of the best special teams coaches in the game today. Bisaccia cut his teeth for years in the NFL, but has found his calling as a part of this Clemson staff. While it would have been swell if the offense was up to standard this season, it has played its part in the special teams unit sticking out in the way it has.
Do not be surprised if Hauser ends up with well over 30 made field goals during this college season.
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