Four Notable Australian Punters in NFL

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 02 October 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Notable Australian Punters in NFL

• Aussie Punters in the NFL
• How Many Aussie Punters Are in the NFL?
• Mitch Wishnowsky: A Rising Star
• Max Duffy: Played for the Denver Broncos
• Cameron Johnston: The Eagles’ Ace
• Arryn Siposs – Made it to the Super Bowl
• Frequently Asked Questions

The NFL, a league renowned for its American roots, has, to the surprise of many, seen a surge of international players joining its ranks in recent years. Among these global stars, a handful of Aussie punters have made their mark, many of them transitioning away from their beloved game to go in search of global stardom (and higher paychecks, of course) by playing in the NFL.

How many NFL punters are Australian? Who are the best Australian punters in NFL? These are great questions – and we’re going to do our best to answer them in today’s blog.

Aussie Punters in NFL

The NFL has welcomed a wave of Aussie punters. Together, these punters have left a significant impact on the game. Their unique skills, already developed by playing Australian rules football, have added a new layer of strategy to the American sport. This blog explores the lives of some of the best-known Aussie punters in the NFL.

If you’re not looking for information on Australia punters in NFL, and instead would prefer to learn about the best ways to bet or want help in finding the top NFL betting sites, make sure to check out our sportsbook reviews. They’re very in-depth and are written by highly experienced gamblers.

How Many Australian Punters in NFL?

The National Football League (NFL) has seen a steady influx of Australian talent over the years, particularly in the position of punter. As a result, a couple of questions arise: Why are there so many Aussie punters in NFL? And how many Australian punters in NFL? The answer lies in the unique skill set that Australian athletes bring to the table, largely influenced by their background in Australian rules football.

This sport, usually known simply as “footy” Down Under, emphasizes kicking skills, agility, and spatial awareness, all of which are crucial for a punter in American football. As for the exact count – that’s a harder metric to track, given teams are constantly switching things around.

A significant number of Australian punters have graced the NFL, with names like Lou Hedley, Mitch Wishnowsky, and Michael Dickson standing out among the recent entrants. But it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the impact they’ve made.

These players have not only filled roster spots but have often excelled, bringing a fresh approach to punting strategies and techniques. Their ability to execute drop punts, torpedoes, and banana kicks – staples in Australian rules football – has added a new dimension to the NFL’s special teams play.

But why do Australians make the leap to American football? For many, it’s the ability to be able to compete at the highest level in a globally recognized league. The NFL offers a platform like no other, with its massive fan base, media coverage, and jaw-dropping contracts. Moreover, the transition from footy to American football, especially for the punters, is relatively smooth. Pretty much all their skills are transferable, and with the right training, Aussie players can adapt quickly.

The NFL benefits immensely from this Australian connection. Aussie punters bring diversity to the league, enriching its international appeal. Their unique kicking techniques can be game changers, forcing opposing teams to rethink their return strategies, and, finally, their background in a sport that demands high endurance and versatility means they can often make plays beyond just punting, whether it’s making a crucial tackle or executing a fake punt play.

Remember, just because this page focuses on the NFL, it doesn’t mean we neglect Aussie rules football! In fact, if you’re looking for strategy guides, or want to know about live betting on Aussie rules, we have a wealth of information for you to check out!

Mitch Wishnowsky: A Rising Star

Mitch Wishnowsky may not be a household name, but this Aussie has made quite the impact as a punter in the NFL. Hailing from Perth, Australia, Wishnowsky began playing Australian rules football at a young age before transitioning to American football when he attended Santa Barbara City College in California in 2013. It didn’t take long for his powerful left leg to get noticed!

After two years punting for Santa Barbara, Wishnowsky transferred to the University of Utah, where his talent really started to shine. He went on to win the Ray Guy Award in 2016, an honor given to the best punter in college football. His booming, accurately placed punts constantly pinned opponents deep in their own territory. In his three years at Utah, Wishnowsky punted 201 times for 9,848 yards, averaging 48.9 yards per punt. His success earned him All-Pac-12 honors three years straight.

The San Francisco 49ers took notice and selected Wishnowsky in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Since then, he has been a model of consistency for the 49ers. In his four NFL seasons thus far, Wishnowsky has punted 229 times for 10,579 yards, averaging 46.2 yards per kick. He’s placed 91 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line while recording just 4 touchbacks. His precision and leg strength are exactly what coaches want in a punter.

As a rookie, Wishnowsky helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl while being named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team. He followed that up with a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2021. Entering his fifth NFL season in 2023 at age 31, Wishnowsky is in the prime of his career. His continued excellence will be key for San Francisco as they hope to return to championship contention.

Mitch Wishnowsky has shown that Aussie punters can thrive on the big stage in American football. His booming left leg and pinpoint accuracy make him one of the best punters in the game today. It will be exciting to watch him build on his success in 2023 and beyond.

Max Duffy: Played for the Denver Broncos

Hailing from Perth, Australia, Max Duffy first made a name for himself in Australian rules football before bringing his punting talents to American football and the University of Kentucky. After averaging over 45 yards per punt in his final two years playing Australian football, Duffy joined the Kentucky Wildcats in 2016.

He immediately made an impact, earning SEC All-Freshman honors by averaging over 42 yards per punt. Over his Kentucky career from 2016-2019, Duffy punted 224 times for 10,123 yards, averaging 45.2 yards per kick. His precision and power quickly gained recognition, as he was named an All-American in 2018 and 2019. Duffy also won the coveted Ray Guy Award for the nation’s top punter in back-to-back seasons.

After going undrafted in 2020, Duffy had brief stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants before joining the Denver Broncos in 2021. Appearing in all 17 games, he punted 67 times for 3,105 yards, pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line 27 times. His rookie success earned him a futures contract to remain with Denver in 2022 as he looks to build on a promising start to his NFL career at age 26. With his booming leg and accuracy, Duffy has proven he has what it takes to thrive as an NFL punter.

Cameron Johnston: The Eagles’ Ace

Cameron Johnston’s journey to becoming an NFL punter began in his hometown of Geelong, Australia, where he played Australian rules football as a teenager. He first tried American football when he joined Melbourne University in their college football league. His raw punting talent was evident right away, as he averaged over 40 yards per punt from 2013-2015.

Johnston accepted a scholarship from Ohio State University and immediately became their starting punter in 2016. Known for his powerful left leg, he went on to finish his Buckeyes career averaging 45.5 yards per punt, landing 88 punts inside the 20-yard line. His accuracy and consistency earned All-Big Ten honors his junior and senior seasons.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed Johnston as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s top punters, finishing top-five in yards per punt in each of his first three seasons. In 2021, he punted 77 times for 3,713 yards, pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line 34 times. This made him the punting yards leader – an impressive accomplishment, especially for an Australian!

After four strong years with the Eagles, Johnston joined the Houston Texans in 2022 at age 29. With his impressive kicks and precise placement, he has proven to be one of the most reliable punters in the NFL. Johnston’s journey from Australian rules football to Ohio State and now the Texans shows that his hard work paid off, and he continues to excel.

Arryn Siposs – Made it to the Super Bowl

Before he was punting in the NFL, Arryn Siposs was a professional Aussie rules football player for seven years in the Australian Football League. Hailing from Melbourne, he played for both the St. Kilda Saints and Western Bulldogs from 2011-2017.

After pursuing a career change to American football, Siposs enrolled at Auburn University where he handled punting duties in 2018 and 2019. He averaged over 43 yards per punt in his two college seasons, showcasing the powerful leg he had developed playing Australian rules football.

Siposs’s strong college performances and experience Down Under sparked the Philadelphia Eagles to sign him in 2020 at age 28. He spent his rookie season as the backup before winning the starting job in 2021. Getting his chance to shine, Siposs went on to punt 77 times for 3,515 yards, averaging 45.6 yards per kick. His precision punting pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 31 times.

Entering the 2022 season at age 30, Siposs has solidified his role as the Eagles’ starting punter. His long-distance kicking and directional punting ability developed from years of Australian rules football make him a valuable weapon. In fact, Siposs has stated his time playing Aussie rules was the perfect preparation for succeeding as an NFL punter.

The nonstop action required superb leg strength, stamina, and precision kicking skills. Those traits now enable him to hit long punts and pinpoint kicks when called upon. Heading into his third NFL season, Arryn Siposs has proven Aussie rules football players have what it takes to become elite punters at football’s highest level.

Here are a few other Aussie punters who have made an impact on football: