USC signs Australian punter Chris Tilbey

The USC Trojans have signed Australian punter Chris Tilbey following his transfer from City College of San Francisco. Tilbey is a product of Prokick Australia, the academy that has converted many former rugby and Aussie Rules Football players to NFL-style kickers and punters.

Nathan Chapman, director of Prokick, shared the news of Tilbey’s signing on Twitter.

Should he succeed at USC, with whom he has three years of eligibility remaining, Chapman could become another man from down under to succeed as a punter in American football. The last two winners of the Ray Guy Award, Memphis’ Tom Hornsey and Utah’s Tom Hackett, are both Australian. Moreover, on the NFL level, guys like Ben Graham, Sav Rocca and others have succeeded in the NFL as punters.

Tilbey is still young and will likely sit on the bench this season, as senior Kris Albarado is locked in as the starter, but he averaged 39.4 yards per punt last season, good for 11th on the JUCO level. He clearly has talent, so perhaps USC has a plan for him going forward.

USC opens the season at home against Arkansas State on September 5.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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