OK, so now that the quarterback situation has been settled — for the time being, at least — there’s always the battle for the punting job, which, no joke, has been really competitive. Special teams coach Chris Rippon said three players remain in the mix, including a blast from the past who may have emerged as the frontrunner in recent days.

Junior Rob Park is trying to maintain his starting job. Last season, he averaged 38.2 yards per punt and downed 16 of his 58 punts inside the 20-yard line. Coach Ed Orgeron wants him to be more consistent. Orgeron has always been big on competition, so he recruited junior college transfer Bryan Powers — big leg, raw talent — to push Park. Both guys have had their days in camp, Rippon said, but a third candidate has started to stand out: Justin Sparks, a sophomore from Briarcrest Christian.

“I’ve said for two years now, I believe that he is an NFL punter,” Rippon said. “He has the mechanics, the leg strength, the smoothness, everything else, and it’s just — he was always a kicker. Well, he’s really started to come on as a punter. The kid’s 6-2, 6-3, he’s lanky. When he touches the ball, all of a sudden it’s like, boom! Where did that come from? So it’s not finalized yet, but it’s close. Rob is steady, but we need to get the field, the depth changed. We’ve got to be able to flip the field. And he’s progress and is up to the challenge. So it’s been fun.”

Asked if was surprised by Sparks’ progress, Rippon said: “I kept waiting for it, and he’s not 100 percent there yet, but no, it’s not surprising to me. And it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ends up winning the thing and ends up, once the confidence develops, being an excellent, excellent punter.”