By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa punter Tory Taylor is what could be called an every weeker.

I just made that up to describe a member of the Iowa football team who could attend every weekly press conference during the season and always have something interesting and funny to say.

Much like his gift for punting, Taylor also has a gift for gab that’s made even better by his thick Australian ascent.

He’s a joy to converse with, because for one, you’re interviewing maybe the best punter in college football, but somebody who also has a dry sense of humor, and a unique background and perspective as a 25-year old native of Melbourne, Australia.

Taylor grew up playing Australian Rules Football, and that sport helped pave the way for him, and for a growing number of Australia natives, to become top-notch college punters in the United States.

Taylor is requested for the weekly press conference a lot more than a typical Iowa punter, and of course, his performance on the field is the reason. But it certainly helps that Taylor knows how to handle a media gathering.

The fact that he’s older than most Iowa players, and in some cases a lot older, might help Taylor interact with the media because he’s more mature and perhaps more comfortable expressing himself.

But I’m guessing Taylor would’ve been just as fun to interview when he was 18 or 19 because for some, interacting with the media just comes easy, or, almost natural.

Taylor is one half of the biggest storyline heading into the Iowa’s Big Ten opener at Rutgers on Saturday, the other half belonging to Rutgers star punter and fellow Melbourne, Australia native Adam Korsak.

Taylor was asked about their individual matchup at Tuesday’s press conference, but he quickly squashed that narrative.

“Honestly, I’m not really worried about the battle or anything like that,” Taylor said. “I’ll leave that up to you guys.”

Reporters kept asking the same question to Taylor about how he felt the punting matchup would impact Saturday’s game, and this was one of his best responses.

“I’m really not too sure on that,” Taylor said. “It’s kind of hard to predict the future. I’m no superhero or anything like that.”

Taylor would go on to say that defense, special teams and offense would all determine the game’s outcome, and he’s right.

One of my favorite quotes from Taylor is when I asked him this past spring what he would say to a friend of mine who was preparing to visit Australia for an extended period, but was concerned about the poisonous snakes and other poisonous animals that are so common in Australia.

“Yeah, tell your friend to quit being a puss,” Taylor said.

Taylor can be smart aleck, and he even he drops a few cuss words every now and then, including this past Tuesday.

But he’s always in a good mood, always funny and always respectful and engaged in the conversation.

All the Iowa players are polite and respectful when talking to the media, even after losses.

It’s just that some are better at doing it, and some seem to enjoy it more than others.

Taylor seems to enjoy it, and the media really enjoys his presence.

Taylor’s media savvy helps to make what is already a great story much more intriguing because the person is as interesting as the punter.

The past few weeks have been extra special for Taylor because his parents and younger brothers have been in Iowa City as part of an extended trip from down under.

They’ve watched him play at Kinnick Stadium, and they’ve seen up close the school and the town in which Taylor is changing the course of his life.

The media has shined the spotlight on Taylor’s family since they arrived in town, with written articles, television features and tweets chronicling their journey, and Taylor made a point to say thank you on Tuesday.

“I will say while I’m here I really appreciate, it’s obviously been really hard for me being here by myself, so when my family comes it’s been really big moments, so I just wanted to say thanks to everyone,” Taylor said. “There’s a lot of media that have given them a lot of attention. I’m sure my mom and little brother are loving it, maybe not as much my dad.

“Just to share to all the fans, I really appreciate all the support they’ve given them since they got here. I really, really appreciate it and it means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to them.”

As an international student, Taylor is prohibited from profiting on his name, image and likeness, but that hasn’t stopped him from using his name, image and likness to raise money for a cause that is dear to his heart.

Taylor came up with the idea to sell T-shirts with the phrase “Punting is Winning” written on the front.

To say that fans liked the T-shirt would be an understatement as Taylor raised $14,000 from sales and donated it to Count the Kicks, which is a non-profit group formed in 2008 by five women in central Iowa who lost their daughters in the early 2000s to stillbirth or infant death.

In 2014, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who is the son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, and Brian’s wife Nikki, lost their daughter, Savvy Elizabeth Ferentz, at 21 weeks, 5 days of gestation.

Three years later as a tribute to their granddaughter, Kirk Ferentz and his wife Mary Ferentz, donated $1 million to help UI Children’s Hospital researchers by creating the Savvy Ferentz Program in Neonatal Research, which focuses on improving survival rates for premature babies.

Taylor learned about the tragedy, and about Kirk and Mary Ferentz’s tribute to their granddaughter after becoming a Hawkeye, and he wanted to help make a difference.

Taylor has made a huge difference since becoming a Hawkeye, on and off the field.

The Iowa football team is so fortunate to have Taylor as a member.

But his value to the team, to the fans, and to the media, goes way beyond his special talent as a punter.

Taylor has a gift for gab, a kind heart and an interesting background.

He also seems to enjoy talking to the media.

In other words, he checks all the boxes.