Brett Thorson is making waves as one of the top punters in the 2026 NFL Draft class, currently showcasing his skills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. But his journey to American football wasn't a straightforward one.
Growing up in Australia, Thorson was on the path to play Australian rules football, aiming to climb the ranks and get drafted into the AFL by age 18. However, the sport's strict timeline left little room for late bloomers.
"If you're not drafted at 18, it's 'go to university and start studying to get a job,'" Thorson explained at the Senior Bowl in January. "It's not 'go to university and still play sport.'"
Finding himself at a crossroads, Thorson was studying and playing recreationally but felt uncertain about his future in football. This uncertainty led him to a surprising new path-one that would take him over 8,000 miles from home and into the heart of SEC football.
Thorson stumbled into American football, with punting as his "backup option." He found his way through Pro Kick Australia, an academy that's been instrumental in sending punters to Division I schools in the U.S.
"They've done about 250 Division I scholarships for punters over the last 15 years," he noted. The opportunity to balance academics with elite-level sport was a perfect fit for Thorson.
Transitioning to American football was challenging. While punting mechanics share similarities with Australian rules football, much of the game was unfamiliar.
"All our first games are when we get over here," Thorson said. "None of us play, none of us watch the game, none of us practice."
Even the equipment was a novelty, with makeshift gear back in Australia.
Despite these hurdles, Australian punters often have an edge. They arrive more physically mature, as Thorson, now 26, stands at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds.
This maturity, combined with extensive punting experience from a young age, offers a unique advantage. "We're punting from five years old to each other," he explained, emphasizing the muscle memory developed over time.
At Georgia, Thorson learned that punting is more about precision than power. "You gotta be more like a golfer," he said, highlighting the need for emotional control and restraint.
Under coach Kirby Smart, situational punting became crucial. "Punt inside the 10," Thorson emphasized, noting the importance of trajectory, hang time, and angle.
The art of punting involves a delicate balance between physics and intuition. Kick it higher for more hang time, giving coverage units a chance to position themselves, or drive it lower to increase the chances of a favorable roll. The modern punter is all about manipulating angles and timing rather than just aiming for the "coffin corner."
For Thorson, punting has evolved from a backup plan into a craft of discipline and subtlety. What began as a detour has become a promising career.
And while the allure of Australian rules football might still linger, Thorson is content with his journey from Melbourne to Athens and beyond. The backup plan, it turns out, might have been the best plan all along.