UCLA punter Will Karoll is part of a growing group of Australians making their mark in college football. The junior, who transferred from Tulane, is currently averaging 43.7 yards per punt during the 2025 season. His impressive performance includes a remarkable 63-yard punt against Indiana and a 61-yarder against Maryland, contributing to his total of five punts exceeding 50 yards this season.
In a matchup set for Saturday at the Rose Bowl, Nebraska will face off against UCLA in Big Ten play. Unfortunately, the anticipated clash between the star quarterbacks, Dylan Raiola and Nico Iamaleava, will not happen due to Raiola”s season-ending injury. Instead, all eyes will be on the punters, particularly Karoll and Nebraska”s Archie Wilson, who is a true freshman from Frankston South, Melbourne.
Wilson has recorded an average of 40.3 yards per punt this season, with a career-long of 58 yards. Karoll, who began his college career in the U.S. with Tulane, has established himself as a reliable punter. “I”ve never seen anybody work as much as Will,” said redshirt junior long snapper Salem Abdul-Wahab, who shares a room with Karoll. “He has been kicking punts all day, every day.” Karoll”s dedication has not gone unnoticed, as he started the season on the Ray Guy Award watchlist, which honors the top punter in the country.
Karoll”s connection to his Australian roots is evident in his relationship with the Bruins” backup punter, Lennox Miller, who also hails from Australia. “Lenny and I are really close, and it”s great to have another Australian here,” Karoll mentioned. “We share a lot of memories and experiences from home.” This cultural bond is significant, especially for Karoll, who has been adapting to life in the U.S. for the last three seasons.
Meanwhile, Wilson has faced his own challenges in adjusting to life far from home. During a preseason press conference, he became emotional discussing the difficulties of being over 10,000 miles away from his family. “I have two little brothers, and a mom and a dad, and that”s the tough part about being here,” he commented. “I love them a lot and I miss them.” In contrast, Karoll has found comfort in the familiar climate of Los Angeles, which resembles that of his hometown in Sydney.
As of the 2025-2026 season, there are around 60 Australians on college football rosters across the United States. Many of these players have gone through Prokick Australia, a training program started in 2007 that prepares athletes for American football. Karoll credits Prokick, founded by former Australian Football League player Nathan Chapman, as an invaluable experience that has helped many Australians transition to success in the U.S. football landscape.
The trend of Australians moving to American football continues to grow, with many athletes finding their niche as punters or kickers. “We grow up with sports being a big part of our lives,” Karoll explained. “While your sports are more throwing-based, ours are primarily kicking-based. Since I was young, I”ve always been kicking the ball.” With backgrounds in rugby and Australian Rules Football, these athletes bring unique skills to the gridiron.
As Karoll prepares for the upcoming game against Nebraska, he embraces the opportunity to showcase his talents in a sport that feels both familiar and exhilarating. “It”s just natural for us,” he concluded, reflecting on the journey from Australia to the heart of American football.
