Auburn Adds Australian Punter Max Bourke to 2026 Class, Bringing Total to 21 Signees
Auburn football has added another piece to its 2026 puzzle - and this one comes from well outside SEC country. The Tigers officially signed Australian punter Max Bourke, the lone punter and one of just two specialists in the class, giving Auburn 21 total additions in its 2026 signing class.
Bourke hails from Brunswick, Victoria, and brings a multi-sport background to the Plains. Before turning his focus to punting, he played Aussie rules football, basketball, and cricket - a combination that’s not uncommon for Australian specialists who’ve made a name for themselves in American football. That athletic versatility often translates into dynamic punting mechanics and field awareness, traits that Auburn’s staff clearly values.
He’s expected to have four seasons of eligibility remaining, giving Auburn both long-term depth and developmental runway at a position that often flies under the radar - until it doesn’t. In today’s game, field position is a hidden currency, and a reliable punter can quietly flip momentum or pin an opponent deep when it matters most.
Bourke joins a recruiting class that currently ranks 31st nationally and 13th in the SEC, according to 247Sports. While those rankings can shift and fluctuate, the broader picture is clear: Head coach Alex Golesh and his staff are building with intention.
The Tigers signed 20 players during the early signing period in December, pulling talent from both the high school and junior college levels. That group includes six blue-chip prospects and five in-state players - a nod to the importance of keeping top Alabama talent close to home.
But the high school haul is just one part of Auburn’s aggressive offseason. The program also landed 39 incoming transfers during the recent two-week portal window, signaling a clear win-now mentality. That’s a massive infusion of experience and depth, and it positions Auburn to be one of the more intriguing rosters to watch heading into the 2026 season.
With Bourke now officially on board, Auburn has its punter of the future - and another international flavor in a class that’s already packed with potential.