Tanner Kuljian / Punter / San Diego State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Tanner Kuljian: I am 5’10 and 175 pounds. I ran a 4.75 a couple of years ago.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Tanner Kuljian: I grew up playing soccer my whole life. I had a big leg, so I tried kicking in high school.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Tanner Kuljian: I was a punter and a kicker.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Tanner Kuljian: I reached out to the East Coast schools. My parents are from the East Coast, and I was born in Philly. My dad moved to CA after he got a job there. My brothers went to college on the East Coast. I was looking at FCS schools like Villanova and Lehigh.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Sacramento State?
Tanner Kuljian: Sacramento State gave me a scholarship. I figured that I would give it a shot. I came there as a kicker, but I realized that it wasn’t the right fit for me during my freshman season. I played in four games and I suffered a sports hernia.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to San Diego after spending your freshman year at Sacramento State?
Tanner Kuljian: I started looking at the East Coast again. San Diego told me that their starting kicker and punter were graduating. The coach told me that it would be my job to lose. I came there in the fall of 2017, but I couldn’t join the team until spring time in 2018. I played there for two full seasons in 2018 and 2019. I had a good career. I graduated, but I wanted to play on a bigger football stage. I got into the transfer portal.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to play at San Diego State your senior year?
Tanner Kuljian: I committed to Arizona. SDSU called me. Their starting punter was graduating. Coach Deakin, SDSU special teams coach, called me and wanted me to be the guy. He sold me on it right away. I had a chance to stay in San Diego. San Diego State is one of the better MWC teams. It is a tough program. They have produced some very good players.
Alex Khvatov: How would you sum up your overall career?
Tanner Kuljian: I am happy how it all ended up. I ended up at SDSU for my final year. I had my best year as a senior. I had a good career.
Alex Khvatov: Have you decided where you will train for the 2021 NFL Draft?
Tanner Kuljian: I am talking it over with my agency where I will be strength training for the draft. I am still trying to figure it out. Punting wise, I will be working with Joey Cejudo. I have been working with him since high school and I am sticking with him. Nick Novak is starting a whole specialist camp. I will look at him as well.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Tanner Kuljian: The explosion in my leg. I have a fast leg. I have been working on my hang time and distance. I am a 5’10 punter, and it is hard to separate yourself from 6’4 guys. I am smooth overall with my technique.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Tanner Kuljian: I need to get better at directional punting. I want to have a big hit out of bounds most of the time.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Tanner Kuljian: I ran a fake FG against BYU two weeks ago. That was a lot of fun. I have never done a fake punt in college before. I ran for the first down. I found a hole on 4th & 1 and took it for six or seven yards on the play. We scored a TD on that drive.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Tanner Kuljian: I am a die-hard Eagles fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Tanner Kuljian: I have been a big Penn State fan through the years. I am huge fan of Miles Sanders. I saw him at Penn State, and now he is in Philadelphia.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye out for this upcoming season?
Tanner Kuljian: Senior RB Greg Bell is staying for an extra year. He got hurt after the fourth game of the season. In the beginning of the season, he was an electric college RB. He should have a big year in 2021. Also we have a TE Daniel Bellinger who had a big year.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a punter?
Tanner Kuljian: Being mentally strong. No one is perfect. You need to execute all the time. One bad punt can affect you, but you need to trust what you are doing.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Tanner Kuljian: The camaraderie between teammates. Covid took away those experiences this year. The interaction with teammates and fans in general. I also enjoy performing at a high level.
Alex Khvatov: How was this season different from the rest?
Tanner Kuljian: We had to get tested 3-4 times a week. We couldn’t touch one another. We had to stay six feet away from each other in the locker room. We couldn’t socialize with one another. We couldn’t chill in the locker room. We couldn’t work out in our own weight room. We worked outside the whole season. Fans didn’t attend our games. We had 5,000 people that showed up in the away game when we played against Utah State. Some parents including mine went to the BYU game.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Tanner Kuljian: I love the outdoors. I love nature. Hikes and snowboarding in the winter time. I am also very competitive in ping pong.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Tanner Kuljian: I love sports. I majored in marketing as an undergrad. My main goal is to get into sports marketing.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Tanner Kuljian: I am an outgoing guy. I don’t take life too seriously. I love to have a positive outlook. I see the humor in things even in tough situations. I enjoy the little things.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Tanner Kuljian: Confident, energetic, determined, simple, and versatile.
