Jake Harry is not your traditional punter. From Division One walk-on to junior college transfer, Harry has taken a long road to happiness at Mizzou.

Before his senior season, Jake Harry punted himself into a hairy situation.

"I was going to cut my hair anyways, so why not have a little fun with it anyway," said Harry.

He mulled his options and went with a mullet, complete with tiger stripes.

"I was just happy to bring a little West Coast humor out here," said Harry.

"I took a picture of that. It's in my phone. It's one of the best hairstyles I've seen in a while as far as being different. It's pretty funny," Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander said.

"He tried that. He got a couple of laughs. I guess the coaches didn't like it. He had to cut it. It's something new. I didn't expect it from Jake," Missouri running back Derrick Washington said.

Harry understands unexpected changes. He started punting rugby style last season.

"At first I was kind of hesitant. I just don't know about this, cause it was so unorthodox you know. It's helping our entire punt team out," said Harry.

He's punted Missouri into the top spot in the yards per kick category in the conference.

"I don't think that's ever happened with Coach Pinkel here. That would be very satisfying to me," said Harry.

But, like most punters, he has hopes for more hair-raising experiences. He wants to run a fake.

"They never brought a rush on the left side so I was like, 'C'mon coach. Let me tuck it and run,"' said Harry.

The coaches eventually called his number late last season, but Harry's heroics came to a halt.

"We had a fake in last year against KU, but we had a delay of game penalty. I think I had the first down at the time," said Harry.

 Harry honors his family every time he puts on his jersey. The four on back is for his grandfather in California.

"This year he's not able to travel anymore because of his heart condition. So, I wanted to put it on there to say, 'Hey bud, you're still here with me,'" said Harry.

 His grandpa is watching the senior kick his way to the top.

"I want to be top three in the nation at the end of the year. Gotta shoot for the stars if you want to attain it. I'd like to be number one in the nation," said Harry.

You can take the kid out of California, but you can't take California out of the kid. Harry says he likes surfing and spear fishing when he's back on the West Coast. Coming into Saturday's game Harry averaged more than 44 yards per punt, which led the Big 12 Conference.