VERMILLION, S.D. - The first day he walked onto the South Dakota Coyotes' practice field three years ago, Filip Filipovic made an impression on head football coach John Austin and his coaching staff. He won a starting job with the Coyotes almost immediately after trying out and now, Filipovic is making a play for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys roster. According to recent media articles in Dallas, Filipovic is making an impression in the Dallas Cowboys preseason camp.

According to an article by Jean-Jacques Taylor in the Dallas Morning News (DallasNews.com), Filipovic is pushing returning starter Micah Knorr for a roster spot at punter.

Taylor quoted kicking coach Steve Hoffman, who calls the rookie from South Dakota, an intriguing prospect. "Even when he (Filipovic) doesn't hit it just right, the ball still gets high up in the air with good hang time," Hoffman said. "He's an NFL punter."

While that may be refreshing news to Coyote supporters and to Filipovic, unseating an incumbent is not an easy thing. It requires hard work which has always been part of Filipovic's make-up.

"Filip has done all his prep work and had excellent mini camps," said Austin, who regularly visits with Filipovic. Austin, like his former punter Filipovic, knows he has a heavy challenge winning a spot on the Cowboys roster. "To unseat a veteran, he has to be consistent. They will not make a change just to make a change. Certainly Filip has the mental make up to do it and now he is showing that physically he can put up a strong challenge," said Austin. "We are certainly proud of his efforts," noted Austin.

Filipovic has come a long way in three short years. Originally of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Filipovic came to America in 1997. He completed his high school education in Youngstown, Ohio and attended Urbana College in Ohio and Eastern Michigan before finding a home at USD. His parents, Dragan and Gordana Filipovic, still live in Vermillion.

However, it took a little luck for Filipovic to get noticed at USD. Austin said Filipovic came into his office in spring of 1998 and said he wanted to tryout for the team. "I told him to come out for a tryout for spring ball," said Austin. "Then one day, two assistants came into my office and said, 'you have to look at this kid,'" Austin said. "I did and he made a big time impression. From that point, he became our number one punter."

Along the way, the Coyote coaching staff provided support to Filipovic, as did former NFL punter Brian Hansen, who grew up in Hawarden, Iowa.

"I know that Filip has worked hard and also visited and worked out with Brian (Hansen). That work has helped Filip a great deal. Brian helped him better understand the punting game and what to expect in NFL training camp. We are appreciative to Brian and his expertise that he shared with Filip as well as our other kickers and punters."

As a junior, Filipovic averaged 40.7 yards per punt, which placed him seventh nationally in NCAA Division II. He finished second that season in the NCC in punting. He placed 15 punts inside the 20-yard line. This past season, he served double duty for the Coyotes, as both the Coyotes' punter and placekicker. In 2001, he made seven of 10 field goals, including a long of 38 yards. He also converted 18 of 19 extra point while averaging 40.1 yards per punt. He placed 16 punts inside the 20-yard line and forced 11 fair catches. He had 53 punts for 2,126 yards.

Now as he vies for a roster spot in Dallas, he knows that he has to take it one day at a time. And, each day, as Austin noted, Filipovic's ability to show consistency and good hangtime will determine whether he hangs on with the Cowboys.

FIVE COYOTES IN NFL CAMPS: Filipovic is one of five former Coyotes vying for spots on NFL rosters. Josh Burr is a free agent fighting for a spot on the offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jamel White, a former all-American running back at South Dakota, enters his third year with the Cleveland Browns while Matt Chatham is a member of the world champion New England Patriots. In addition, former Coyote linebacker Josh Stamer just signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Burr, Filipovic, White and Stamer all played for coach Austin at South Dakota.

HBO TO FEATURE VETERANS AND ROOKIES IN HARD KNOCKS SPECIAL: It is possible that Filipovic will appear on an HBO special, "Hard Knocks," that begins tonight (July 31). The special will chronicle the trials and heartaches of an NFL training camp. This special focuses on the Dallas Cowboys' rookies and veterans. It is the first sports-based reality series that begins its second season. The show will air at 10 p.m. central exclusively on HBO. There will be encore viewings of the show on Thursday at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. central. "Hard Knocks" will be broadcast every Wednesday throughout training camp.