Papa Stovall

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Tyler Stovall’s influence

Most of the time Daniel Carlson is so busy nailing extra points and drilling field goals, he overshadows Tyler Stovall (unless, of course, a Mississippi State player takes un unnecessary shot at Auburn’s kicker, then Stovall leaps into the spotlight to defend the junior).

But ask Carlson for his thoughts on the 26-year-old holder and the best kicker in the country will tell you he might not own that label if it weren’t for Stovall.

“He’s a guy that obviously that doesn’t need to be playing football. He’s had a ton of success in his life,” Carlson said after his trick play score — which included a tricky pitch by Stovall — earlier this year. “The fact he would come back to want to be a part of the team, just support the guys. The leadership role he’s taken with that, being the oldest guy on the team now. Just for me, the amount of work he’s putting into holding, which a lot of people overlook, it’s extremely important. Who knows what I’d be doing without him.”

A few years ago it seemed the duo wouldn’t cross paths.

Stovall was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2008 MLB Draft and spent the next four years in the Braves’ minor league system. After one year with an independent team Stovall gave up baseball. At 23, he decided it was time to use his signing bonus to go back to college.

The longtime Auburn fan landed on the Plains after some persuasion from head coach Gus Malzahn, winning the starting holder job in ’14.

While his efforts helping Carlson have been crucial for the Tigers this year, his role on the team goes beyond anything on the field.

Stovall is married and known by many of his teammates as Papa Stovall.

He’s adapted to the father-figure role with ease, offering support and guidance as soon as fall camp — a time that can become overwhelming — starts.

“I like to be there for the guys and I let them know up front if there’s something they’re struggling with or something that you’re having a hard time with, just given my background I love to be there for them,” Stovall said in August. “And have open hands for them and open any questions they may need as a young person coming in.”

But wait, there’s more.

Before his time with the Braves, Stovall thought he would study engineering. Eventually he realized he wanted to be around people and stay in sports. Stovall is a student in the college and business, where he serves as an example for others in the classroom, too.

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