Exclusive: Steelers Punter Corliss Waitman

First, how is the offseason going – what are you working on?

I’m training here in Alabama with my kicking coach – he trains a lot of NFL guys. I’m just trying to get better and work on improving my craft.

Did the coaches talk to you – not sure if you had an exit interview but did you get any direction on what you need to address most?

I just want to improve everything I can. I’m a young guy – I haven’t played in an NFL game yet – not even a preseason game. Boswell, Canaday, Jordan – I’m just watching them and absorbing all I can from them on how to prepare. I can improve in every part of my game – I have a lot of room to grow.

You’re a bit of a triple-threat – you can hold and kick field goals when needed too. How does that help you?

Well my focus has to be as a punter. If anything goes left I can kick field goals and kickoff, but that’s only in emergencies of course. I’m sure those intangibles help but I have to focus on being a punter.

If there was one thing you could work on that would give you the best chance of making the roster, what do you think that would be?

I want to be able to be a punter who punts the ball well when it matters. It’s a situational game – I want to be that guy who can punt the ball well when it matters. That’s the most important thing – you have to be consistent.

It’s unusual for a team to keep a punter on the practice squad – what do you think that tells you about the way the team sees you?

Of course everybody wants to contribute. But it’s been great for me – I can watch and soak things in. You can’t get that normally – not sitting at home. You can’t get the experience and the chance to soak in the wisdom of the guys in the locker room. It’s a blessing in disguise – and a good feeling being a part of a team.

How helpful have guys like Jordan Berry and the other special teams been to you – and how so?

Those guys are so mature. I was nervous going in – special teams can be very cliquey – in college those guys were, and in the NFL there are only three guys that are specialists. I didn’t know if they would respect my being there or not.

But Jordan and Boswell – they are A-one guys. All of the special teams guys are great guys and that’s not the same on every team. I know right now if I were to call or text them that they’d pick up.

Jordan helped me and talked to me about the game. He talked about consistency before a game last year and that stayed with me. He told me consistency is what gets you in the league and keeps you here. He told me I could be an NFL punter, I haven’t forgotten that.

Does being a lefty really help you at all?

There aren’t too many lefties in the game. But honestly, it doesn’t matter if you’re a lefty or righty if you aren’t consistent and don’t kick good balls. It doesn’t matter.

People do say the ball spins differently for returners – I know that that’s true. But I never heard of a situation where there were too equally good punters and they decided to keep the lefty over a righty because he was a lefty. You just have to focus on kicking good balls – that’s what matters.

As a Black punter – any thoughts on why there are so few Black specialists in the NFL?

For me it’s not weird because I was the only Black guy on my soccer team too…I always felt comfortable around anybody. I laugh with all of the special teams guys and can fit in anywhere. I can adjust to anybody as long as they treat me well.

I do think there are more Black kickers coming up. I think it’s just a numbers thing.

Any memorable experiences stand out to you so far during your time in Pittsburgh – funny or poignant?

Honestly, every practice I laugh with the guys. All the special teams guys are usually funny.

Every day in the locker room, it’s such a great culture – it’s always positive. I was scared about getting pranked when I got there but it never happened! Maybe because of Covid. But nothing happened to me and I didn’t see anything crazy – no pranks. It was a boring year!

Is it difficult competing for a job with a guy like Jordan who has helped you? 

You want to compete and be on the field. Nothing will be handed to me. I just want to work hard and play in an NFL game.

Since I’ve been here I’ve never really tried to compete with the other guys on the team. It’s like golf. You have to hit your shot. It doesn’t matter what the other guys do. If you’re consistent you can grow as a punter. If you hit your ball well every time you can grow as an NFL punter, That’s my goal.

What should fans know about you that has nothing to do with football?

I’m a homebody. I like traveling and nature and like to play the piano. I’m good at chess and a big family guy. Whenever I’m home I like to spend time with my family – I have a lot of sisters I like to spend time with. I’m a mellow guy.

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