When Justin Yoon ’15 first arrived at Milton in Class IV, his athletic focus was hockey. This spring, he graduates as one of the top-ranked high school football kickers in the country and will bring his talent to Notre Dame. He will be the starting kicker for the Fighting Irish and a student in the Mendoza College of Business.
From Nashville, Tennessee, Justin started playing football in eighth grade, after a middle school coach took notice of his soccer kicking skills. He pursued this kicking talent at summer football camps. His spot-on, long-range kicks added a new dimension to Milton football, and Justin credits Coach Mac for his support.
“He really trusts me, and that trust factor makes me believe in him, as he believes in me,” says Justin. “It’s not always easy to trust the kicker to get the job done. I respect Coach Mac for letting me do what I do and believing in me.”
Justin says one of his most memorable games was Milton’s 27–21 win over Lawrence Academy in his sophomore year, in which he blasted four successful field goals, the final one from an amazing 54 yards. These long kicks led to Justin being selected to play in the 2015 Under Armour All-American Bowl Game this past January. Justin was spot on and set records for most field goals made (three) and longest field goal made (47 yards) in the seven-year history of the bowl game.
A dedicated student, Justin’s work ethic is strong, both on and off the field. When he was injured in the season opener this year, Justin turned his focus to rehabilitating his injury, but he also spent hours mentoring Min Park ’17 to be Milton’s next kicker. Justin says although it was frustrating to miss five games this past season, he enjoyed what has always been his favorite part of Milton football: “Just spending time with the team and being around my friends on the field.” And when he was back in form for the last game against Nobles, Justin capped off his Milton career with a 49-yard kick.