Aussie punters dominate US college award

Former AFL player Nathan Chapman's ProKick Australia punting school produced this year's three Ray Guy Award finalists

Nathan Chapman, left, director of  Prokick Australia academy

Nathan Chapman's ProKick Australia punting school produced this year's three Ray Guy Award finalists (AAP)

Australians have been named the top three punters in US college football, a history-making result confirming how big boots from Down Under have transformed America's favourite sport.

Perth's Mitch Wishnowsky, punting for the University of Utah, Geelong's Cameron Johnston, a weapon for Ohio State and Sydney's Michael Dickson, for the University of Texas, were named the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award.

The award is the top honour for college punters.

This year's domination guarantees an Australian will have won the award four years straight.

Tom Hornsey, punting for the University of Memphis, claimed it in 2013 and Tom Hackett, for the University of Utah, made history with back-to-back wins in 2014 and 15.

Australia has three punters in the NFL - New York Giants' Brad Wing, Pittsburgh Steelers' Jordan Berry and New York Jets' Lachlan Edwards - and the "rugby style" kick has become a must-have skill for every punter.

But, winning the Ray Guy is not a guarantee to a big money contract in the NFL as Hornsey and Hackett have been unable to secure jobs with teams.

This year's three Ray Guy finalists confirms the success of former AFL player Nathan Chapman's ProKick Australia punting school, with Wishnowsky, Johnston and Dickson former students.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world