Matthew Hayball, a former Geelong player, has gained a roster position with the New Orleans Saints.
Hayball, a punter from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, signed the Saints as an undrafted free agent after the recent NFL Draft.
Hayball, 27, spent two seasons on Geelong’s list after being picked at Pick 70 in the 2015 National Draft, and he went on to play 50 games for the Cats in the VFL.
The West Adelaide product is unlikely to make his AFL debut.
Hayball eventually sought a career in American football as a punter, first with Australia Prokick and then at Florida Atlantic University.
Hayball’s breakout year came with Vanderbilt, where he spent the previous two seasons. In his most recent season with the Commodores, he finished as the all-time leader in average punting yards at Vanderbilt and earned All-American honours.
Hayball punted 58 times for Vanderbilt in 2023, covering a total of 2759 yards with an average of 47.6 yards. His longest kick this season was 71 yards.
The former Cats utility was one of 15 undrafted free agents signed by the Saints, becoming the team’s second-listed punter.
Hayball’s transfer to the NFL comes after Patrick Murtagh, a former Gold Coast player, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite a 9-8 record, New Orleans fell just short of making the playoffs in 2023.
The 2024 NFL season is set to begin in September.
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