Australians in American football – Wikipedia

Recruited Player Original sport Original team/position Initial NFL team NFL debut NFL games played Notes 2021 Max Duffy Australian Rules Football – Fremantle Dockers College Football scholarship with University of Kentucky Wildcats^[4] Denver Broncos Signed with the Broncos an undrafted free agent on 24 May 2021.^[5] He was waived on 17 June.^[6] after the Toronto Argonauts selected Duffy in the fourth round of the 2021 CFL Global Draft on 15 April 2021.^[7]

34 games during his collegiate career at Kentucky University Duffy averaged 46 yards on his 151 collegiate punts, and he earned All-SEC honors in both 2019 and 2020. He also received a unanimous first-team All-American nod in 2019 and won the 2019 Ray Guy Award.

2020 Arryn Siposs Australian Rules Football St. Kilda Football Club College Football scholarship with Auburn University Detroit Lions 2021 17 Signed with the Eagles on January 13, 2021, and made his debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. 2020 Matt Leo Rugby & Australian Rules Football (St. Michael’s High School, Adelaide) Iowa State Philadelphia Eagles Signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice September 6th, 2020, waived, placed on reserve/COVID-19 squad July 28th, 2021, activated September 8th, 2021 waved and resigned to the Eagles practice squad September 9th, 2021.

Plays Defensive End.

2019 Valentine Holmes Rugby League Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks New York Jets New York Jets Running Back/Punt Returner (2019)* 2019 Mitch Wishnowsky Australian Rules Football College Football scholarship with University of Utah San Francisco 49ers 2019 49 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.^[8] 2018 Jordan Mailata Rugby League South Sydney Rabbitohs Under 20s team Philadelphia Eagles 2020 29 233rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft.^[9] 2018 Michael Dickson Australian Rules Football College Football scholarship with University of Texas Seattle Seahawks 2018 65 Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, 149th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft.^[10] 2018 Keith Wrzuszczak Australian national pole vault team College Football scholarship with Eastern Kentucky Colonels football Indianapolis Colts Wrzuszczak went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Was unsuccessful in competing for Colts punting spot. He averaged 41.4 yards per punt, which was six-best in the nation in 2017 and broke the 51-year-old EKU record of 78 yards with an 84-yard punt against Tennessee-Martin. 2017 Cameron Johnston Australian Rules Football Melbourne Football Club College Football scholarship with University of Ohio State Philadelphia Eagles 2018 65 Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on 11 May 2017.^[11][12][13] He was waived on 2 September 2017.^[14] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on 3 January 2018.^[15]

Philadelphia Eagles (2017–2020)

Houston Texans (2021–present)

2016 Adam Gotsis Monash Warriors -Gridiron Victoria

Australian Rules Football

College Football scholarship with Georgia Tech Denver Broncos 2016 89 2nd Rnd, 63rd overall pick in the 2016 draft. The highest ever for an Australian. Fifth-year defensive end spent the first four seasons of his career in Denver before signing with Jacksonville Jaguars in August 2, 2020.

Plays Defensive End.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2971498/adam-gotsis

2016 Lac Edwards Australian Rules Football College Football scholarship with Sam Houston State^[4] New York Jets 2016 74 235th overall pick in the seventh round at the 2016 NFL draft.

New York Jets (2016–2019)

Carolina Panthers (2021–present)

2016 Blake Muir Gridiron – Sutherland Seahawks, Sydney College Football scholarship with Baylor Bears football^[4] Atlanta Falcons Signed as an undrafted rookie with the San Francisco 49ers. Moved to the practice squad with the Green Bay Packers and then Atlanta Falcons in the 2016 season. Was part of the Falcons team that won the 2016 NFC Championship game and played in Superbowl LI.^[16] Was All Big 12 in 2015 and honorable mention 2014 for Baylor Bears as an offensive lineman.^[17] Started all 37 games as a college player. Transferred from University of Hawai’i where he started 12 games at left tackle as a redshirt Freshman. 2016 Tom Hackett Australian Rules Football – Scotch College, Melbourne College Football scholarship with University of Utah^[4] New York Jets Signed as an undrafted rookie on 1 May 2016 and waived on 28 July 2016 after the team re-signed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In Salt Lake City the 23-year-old won two Ray Guy Awards and earned two Consensus All-American selections and All-Pac-12 1st Team 2013, 2014, 2015 and named in the Pac-12 All-Century team. 2016 Joel Wilkinson Australian Rules Football Gold Coast Suns (played 26 games for the Suns from 2011 to 2013)^[4] Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals signed the 24-year-old, who used to play for the Gold Coast Suns, as a cornerback.^[4] 2015 Jarryd Hayne National Rugby League Parramatta Eels (2006–2014) San Francisco 49ers 2015 8 3 March 2015, 49ers sign Hayne’s as a running back (undrafted free agent), three-year contract with US$100,000 guarantee.^[18] 2015 Jordan Berry Western Crusaders^[19] (Gridiron Victoria) Australian Rules Football (Calder Cannons TAC Cup under-18s) College Football scholarship with Eastern Kentucky Colonels football Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 108 Steelers sign punter Berry to their offseason roster in April.^[20][21] Berry was a three-time All-OVC punter and part of a punting unit that ranked first in the OVC and fifth nationally (FCS) in net punting at 39.08 yards per punt in 2014.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2015–2020)

Minnesota Vikings (2021–present)

2015 Sam Irwin-Hill Australian Rules Football (Bendigo Pioneers TAC Cup under-18s) College Football scholarship with University Arkansas Razorbacks football Indianapolis Colts Colts sign punter Sam a two-time Ray Guy Award candidate on a tryout basis in the rookie mini-camp – undrafted free agent.^[22] Best known for his memorable 51-yard touchdown against Texas A&M in September 2014. Colts cut the Arkansas graduate and, after being waived by a couple of teams, he signed with San Diego Fleet in October 2018. 2014 Tom Hornsey Australian Rules Football (Geelong Cats – VFL) College Football scholarship with Memphis Tigers football Dallas Cowboys Hornsey went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft after winning the Ray Guy Award last season – presented annually to the nation’s top college punter.^[23] Played preseason with Dallas Cowboys, waived 26 August 2014 after 2 games. Hornsey took part in the New York Jets’ rookie minicamp in the spring of 2014.^[24] Cowboys re-Sign Hornsey as possible competition for restricted Jones – 17 February 2015^[25] 2014 Alex Dunnachie Australian Rules Football (Victorian Amateur Football Association) College Football scholarship with University of Hawaii. Banyule under-19’s (VAFA) 2008 New York Jets Dunnachie went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. Was unsuccessful in competing for Jet punting spot. He averaged 46.2 yards per punt, which was fourth-best in the nation in 2013.^[26] Dunnachie landed a spot punting for the SoCal Coyotes in a 1AAA league in the USA. 2013 Brad Wing Australian Rules Football (Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup under-18s) College Football scholarship with LSU New York Giants 2014 64 Wing went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft and was signed by Philadelphia Eagles. After being released by the Eagles – 25 August 2013, Wing played a preseason game with New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers. Added to Pittsburgh Steelers team roster for 2014 season on a 1-year/$420k contract, including an annual average salary of $420,000. He became the first Australian to throw for points in the NFL (threw a two-point conversion).^[27] 2016–17 season starts with the Giants giving Wing a 3-year/$6.425 million contract.^[28]

Pittsburgh Steelers (2014)

New York Giants (2015–2017)

2013 Jesse Williams Bayside Ravens Gridiron Club (2005–07)^[29] & Queensland Gridiron under-19 Australian National Champions College Football scholarship with University of Alabama & Arizona Western College Seattle Seahawks Williams was taken in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the 137th overall selection by the Seattle Seahawks. Williams signed a 4-year/$2.37 million contract, including a $211,052 signing bonus, with $211,052 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $592,763.^[30] First native Australian to win a Super Bowl ring after Seattle’s victory in Super Bowl XLVIII . Williams was cut after the 2015 season after battling injury and cancer and failing to make a first team start.^[31] 2012 Hayden Smith Rugby Union Saracens FC New York Jets 2012 5 The New York Jets signed Smith on 3 April 2012, waived him on 31 August 2012 and signed him to their practice squad. On 27 October 2012, he was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad. He was released on 26 August 2013, following which he returned to playing Rugby Union. 2010 David King Australian Rules Football (semi-professional) Bundoora Football Club (Diamond Valley Football League 2001–2002), Euroa Football Club (Goulburn Valley Football League 2003–2007) & Norwood Football Club (Eastern Football League 2008)^[32] New England Patriots He was signed by the New England Patriots 14 April 2010, but was waived 11 June 2010.^[33] 2010 Chris Bryan Australian Rules Carlton Football Club (2005–06) & Collingwood Football Club (2007–09), Games: 46. Goal: 19. Position: Ruckman Green Bay Packers 2010 4 Contracted by the Green Bay Packers in 2010, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010) and New York Jets (2011)*^[34][35] 2007 Anthony Rocca Australian Rules Football Sydney Football Club (1995–96) & Collingwood Football Club (1997–2009), Games: 242. Goals: 415. Position: Forward Philadelphia Eagles Signed with the Eagles, however got homesick and returned to Australia^[35] 2009 Jy Bond Australian Rules Football Richmond Football Club Miami Dolphins contracted by the Miami Dolphins in 2009 2007 Sav Rocca Australian Rules Football Collingwood Football Club (1992–2000) & North Melbourne Football Club (2001–06) Games: 257. Goals: 748. Position: Forward Philadelphia Eagles 2007 112 Oldest ever rookie in the NFL. Rocca signed a 2-year/$2.24 million contract with the Washington Redskins in 2013, including a $325,000 signing bonus, $325,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $1,120,000.^[36]

Philadelphia Eagles (2007–2010)

Washington Redskins (2011–2013)

2005 Ben Graham Australian Rules Football Geelong Football Club (1993–2004), Games: 219. Goals: 145. Position: Forward. Captain: 2000–2002 New York Jets 2005 99 First Australian to play in the Super Bowl. New York Jets (2005–2008), New Orleans Saints (2008), Arizona Cardinals (2008–2011) and Detroit Lions (2011–2012) where Graham signed a 1-year/$890k contract, including a $65,000 signing bonus, and an annual average salary of $890,000.^[37]

New York Jets (2005–2008)

New Orleans Saints (2008)

Arizona Cardinals (2008–2011)

Detroit Lions (2011–2012)

2004 Mat McBriar Australian Rules Football (Warrnambool & District Football Netball League) Brighton Grammar School Football team & Deakin University Football Club. College Football scholarship with University of Hawaii Dallas Cowboys 2004 141 Went undrafted in 2003. Preseason game with Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks in 2003. First NFL game was with the Dallas Cowboys (2003–2011), Philadelphia Eagles (2012) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2013) and de-listed start of the 2014 season. Chargers added McBriar two-time Pro Bowler in December 2014^[38] to a 1-year/$955,000 contract.^[39] 2006 David Lonie University of California Pole vault, Javelin, Soccer & Water polo. In 2006 competed in the Pan Pacific Games in Perth, Australia, in 1996 as a decathlete and pole vaulter^[40] Washington Redskins Signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent in May and released prior to start of season and spent rest of season out of football. In 2007 signed as a free agent by the Packers on 16 Feb, but suffered an ankle injury during the season, placed on injured reserve, then released in October. 2004 Nathan Chapman Australian Rules Football Brisbane Football Club (1993–97) & Hawthorn Football Club (1998, 2000) Games: 76. Goals: 17. Position: Defender (full-back) Green Bay Packers Contracted by the Green Bay Packers and played in 3 pre-season games. Rookie and senior mini-camps with the Chicago Bears.^[41] 1995 Darren Bennett Australian Rules Football West Coast Eagles (1987) & Melbourne Football Club (1989–93). Games: 78. Goals: 215. Position: Forward San Diego Chargers 1995 159 Most successful Australian in the history of the NFL. Third highest average (4 punts) 59.50yrds San Diego vs Pittsburgh, 1 October 1995 (4–238)^[42]

San Diego Chargers (1994–2003)

Minnesota Vikings (2004–2005)

1987 Colin Scotts Rugby union Scots College & Australian Schoolboys Rugby team (1981). College Football scholarship with University of Hawaii Arizona Cardinals 1987 7 First Australian to receive an American College Football scholarship in the United States. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 3rd round (70th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft. Scott played as a defensive end and tight end in 1987 for the Arizona Cardinals.^[43] 1965 Colin Ridgway Track & field scholarship with Lamar Tech (now Lamar University) Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games High jumper Dallas Cowboys 1965 3 First Australian to play in the NFL. Ridgeway became the first High-jumper to clear seven-foot before accepting a track-and-field scholarship to what is now Lamar University.^[44]