Up until a few months ago, Nick Mazzie had planned to graduate in the spring and play football in his graduate year next fall while working toward his MBA.
But plans change. At least the football part.
Mazzie has decided to enter the college football transfer portal and potentially find a bigger football home that would help his potential football career beyond college.
“I have loved every second here,” said the former Central Catholic all-star and UNH junior kicker of his time in Durham, N.H.
“There is something about this place,” he noted. “It’s a gritty place to be. Everyone here has been great, the coaches, my teammates, everybody on campus.”
One UNH student-athlete has bordered on great this fall – Nick Mazzie.
Not only has he killed it in the classroom as a mechanical engineering major and an All-Academic team selection, but on the football field, too.
Mazzie copped first-team honors as a kicker on the Colonial Athletic Association squad. He made 18 of 23 kicks (78%), each year adding more “makes “ to his resume.
While there weren’t any walk-off kicks at the end of games, he had some “top shelf” moments, including his 38-yarder in the opening game at the University Of Central Florida (UCF), a 52-yarder against Harvard and his four-field goal day against Monmouth.
“I’d like to take my game to higher level, which I believe is possible,” said Mazzie. “I do look at this differently now. I’d like to play professionally and see how far I can take this. The opportunity to play at bigger school in a power five conference would be intriguing.”
Mazzie entered the portal two weeks ago and there has been interest, including phone calls from coaches while picking up social media followers from Div. 1 coaching staffs.
“I’ve gotten interest from all levels, including Division Three schools and the SEC (Southeast Conference),” said Mazzie. “The communication has been good so far. A few kickers on the portal have received offers. I hope to soon, but I will take a little time to find the right fit.”
Mazzie admits his first field goal attempt in the opener in Orlando, Fla., opened his eyes.
“There were about 50,000 fans in the stadium. It was electric,” said Mazzie, who regularly kicked before about 5,000 fans for most UNH games. “There was nothing better than that experience. The kick at Harvard was cool, too. It was my first fifty-yarder. It seems like everyone kicks those now. I needed that one, too.”
Mazzie said his big jump this past season had as much to do with his major – mechanical engineering – as it did with some extra work in the weight room and film room.
He obsessed this past off-season on the technical/engineering aspect of his position on and off the field.
“Like a lot of things in sports nowadays, the kicking position has become more technical and scientific,” said Mazzie. “My angle. My three steps – the jab step, the second step and the planned step. There is so much you can break down and perfect, the little things.
“I’ve also gotten bigger and stronger every year and that shows on the field, too,” added Mazzie.
Mazzie credits his personal kicking coach, Sam Lemson, out of the Portland, Me., area with taking his game to another level this past year. Lenson punted and kicked at UMaine from 2013-17.
“He’s been a huge help to me,” said Mazzie. “He’s great at breaking down film. Honestly, he’s a genius when it comes to kicking. He’s just a cool, relatable guy.”
While a few kickers in the portal have received multiple Div. 1 offers, Mazzie believes his interest will grow in the coming weeks and months.
“I like to consider myself an elite kicker and not jump on the first offer,” said Mazzie. “I am open to going anywhere, in terms of weather. I’ve proven I can kick in the cold and Northeast, which isn’t easy. I’ve been doing it here since I was a little kid.”
His sister Gabriela Mazzie, Director of Recruiting Operations at Army, said some of her favorite football moments while growing up was shagging balls for her kid brother down at the local football stadium.
In fact, she said it piqued her interest in the sport.
“There is nothing like it, running out onto the field, with people screaming at you on one side and your boys praying you make it on the other side,” said Mazzie. “I was pretty good in high school, but I’ve learned a lot about being calm and composed in big moments. I love that kind of feeling.”