黑料网 punter Jake Stoeckel, a first-year exercise science major, made his American football debut at the start of this season. Originally from Riverland, Australia, Stoeckel traveled 25 hours to his new home at Kent State in early August.
Stoeckel, who was recently featured in a , played tennis and Australian football as a child, training with Prokick Australia in Melbourne in preparation to play American college football.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been quite an experience so far,鈥 Stoeckel told ABC News. 鈥淚鈥檓 enjoying every minute of it.鈥
Prokick's head coach, Nathan Chapman, told ABC News about Stoeckel鈥檚 commitment to training. 鈥淚t was just a matter of time for him to get his opportunity.鈥
According to ABC News, only five Australian-raised punters are in the NFL. The Melbourne Sports Law Association said Australians make up about 46 percent of punters in college football teams.
Stoeckel鈥檚 first game was Kent State鈥檚 win over Merrimack College in August.
"That was my first time on the field,鈥 Stoeckel told ABC News. 鈥淎ctually being out there and having some pretty big boys running at you is quite intimidating.鈥