NFL Dreams: Caden Noonkester's Journey

0:00On April 22nd, NC State punter Caden Noon Kester stands 6 foot 6 and built a name with his killer leg during 5 years with the Wolfpack. Now he's eyeing the NFL draft this week, so he ditched his signature mullet and mustache for a cleaner look to impress Scouts. At Pro Day in March, he boomed puns over 50 yards in front of two dozen teams, showing he's all about results over Flash. He started as a walk-on in 2021 after switching from soccer goalie Layden High School. Learned from pros like Trenton Gill, who got drafted by the Bears, then bonded with grad transfer Michael McDonough. When injuries hit, Noon Kester stepped up, averaging 43 yards per pun as starter, with 40 inside the 20 over his last two years. Coaches and teammates call him a shy, blue collar type at first, but hardworking with a cowboy vibe. Practices in hats and tanks, loves pressure washing, dry blaze. His crop and soil science's degree fits his passion for agriculture and finance, and that wild bounce back pun against Florida State last November had, everyone flashing

1:04back to his goalie days. At Pro Day, his hang time hit 4.7 to 4.8 seconds, even on misses, a big NFL plus, and he held strong too. McDonough says teams noticed, and Noon Kester's ready for camp battles like his walk-on grind. As the draft kicks off, he's not counting chickens yet, fitting for a guy dreaming of homesteading with his own farm animals, but a pro-contract could. Light up that path right alongside NFL Skies.