Matthew Hayball Bio
Matthew Hayball is an Australian professional American football punter who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Born on 12 March 1997 in Adelaide, South Australia, Hayball has forged a unique path in professional football, transitioning from Australian rules football to becoming one of the most decorated punters in college football history before reaching the NFL. His exceptional leg strength and consistency earned him recognition as a Second-team All-American and First-team All-SEC selection during his senior season at Vanderbilt University in 2023. Hayball was also selected in the first round of the 2024 CFL Global Draft by the Ottawa Redblacks before beginning his NFL career.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Hayball grew up in West Adelaide, Australia, where his father played in the Central Australian Football League, providing early exposure to competitive football. He attended Sacred Heart College in Adelaide from grades 7 through 12, developing his skills as a midfielder in Australian rules football during his youth. Hayball was a member of the West Adelaide Football Club Under-18 team during the 2015 season, appearing in two reserve-level matches toward the end of that year.
The Hayball family background in football influenced his athletic development, with his father’s league experience helping shape his understanding of the game at an early age. His transition from Australian rules football to American football later in his career would prove remarkable, as he leveraged his kicking abilities developed on Australian fields into a successful collegiate career in the United States.
Path to American Football
After being delisted by the Geelong Football Club following the 2018 Australian Football League season without having appeared in any AFL games, Hayball made a pivotal career decision. He contacted Nathan Chapman to join Prokick Australia, an academy designed to help Australian athletes earn college football scholarships in the United States. This program has produced numerous successful punters who have made the transition from Australian rules football to American football.
Hayball enrolled at Florida Atlantic University in 2019, immediately making an impact as the starting punter for the Florida Atlantic Owls. His freshman season demonstrated his potential, as he appeared in 14 games and punted 68 times for 2,958 yards, ranking 33rd nationally with a 43.5-yard punting average. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman team honors and was named Special Teams MVP following the team’s Boca Raton Bowl victory.
He continued his development over three seasons at Florida Atlantic, appearing in 35 games total while accumulating 2,958 yards on 68 punts as a freshman, 1,983 yards on 45 punts in 2020, and 2,785 yards on 61 punts in 2021. His consistent performance and improvement caught the attention of major college programs seeking an experienced punter for their rosters.
Matthew Hayball Career
Vanderbilt Commodores (2022–2023)
Hayball transferred to Vanderbilt University for the 2022 season, joining the Commodores program with three years of collegiate experience already behind him. In his first season at Vanderbilt, he played 12 games and punted 59 times for 2,634 yards, establishing a long punt of 65 yards with 21 punts inside the 20-yard line. His punting average of 45.36 yards placed fourth in school history and ranked second in the Southeastern Conference while finishing 11th nationally.
His senior season in 2023 proved to be career-defining, as Hayball emerged as one of the premier punters in all of college football. He played 12 games and recorded 57 punts for 2,713 yards, with 24 punts downed inside the 20 and an impressive long punt of 71 yards. His punting average of 47.6 yards ranked in the top ten nationally and led the SEC, while his net punting average of 43.1 yards placed seventh nationally.
The 71-yard punt placed him among only 14 punters nationally to achieve such distance during the 2023 season. Following a game in which he averaged 50.3 yards per punt—the second-best single-game average in Vanderbilt program history—he was named Ray Guy Punter of the Week. He earned numerous accolades including first-team midseason All-American honors from Pro Football Focus and the Associated Press, along with second-team All-America honors from five selectors at season’s end.
New Orleans Saints (2024–2025)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Hayball signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints, receiving a contract with $35,000 guaranteed. He arrived at training camp competing with fellow Australian Lou Hedley for the starting punter position. Hedley’s release during final roster cuts in August 2024 secured Hayball’s spot on the Saints roster, as he became one of four undrafted free agents from that class to make the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Hayball started all 17 games during the 2024 NFL season, fulfilling the role he had earned through his impressive training camp performance. He recorded 75 punts for 3,303 yards with a 43.7-yard average and a long punt of 59 yards. His most exceptional skill was his precision placement, leading the entire league by downing 54.7 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line. This performance demonstrated his ability to translate his collegiate success to the professional level.
Atlanta Falcons (2026–Present)
Hayball was released by the New Orleans Saints on August 6, 2025, following his rookie season. He subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons on June 18, 2026, joining the franchise as they sought to strengthen their special teams unit. This move represented a new chapter in his NFL career, providing him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot with a different organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hayball’s punting style is characterized by exceptional hang time and pinpoint accuracy in directional punting. His ability to consistently place punts inside the 20-yard line at a league-leading rate demonstrates his precision and situational awareness. His experience transitioning from Australian rules football provided him with a unique kicking mechanics foundation that has translated well to American football punting techniques. His leg strength allows him to boom long punts when needed while maintaining consistency on routine kicks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hayball’s career includes several significant accomplishments, including becoming Vanderbilt’s all-time leader in punting average with 46.5 yards per punt across his collegiate career. He became the first Vanderbilt player to earn first-team All-SEC honors as a punter since 1996 and the first Commodores All-American at any position since 2016. His selection as a Ray Guy Award finalist as the nation’s top punter and earning College Football Network SEC Punter of the Year highlighted his status as one of the most accomplished specialists in college football. His CFL draft selection by the Ottawa Redblacks in the first round (second overall) in 2024 further demonstrated his international value as a specialist.
Matthew Hayball Career Wins
Hayball’s collegiate career produced impressive statistical achievements, with his 289 career punts covering 13,073 yards for an average of 45.2 yards per punt, with 108 punts downed inside the 20. His career totals included a remarkable 46.5-yard career average at Vanderbilt, ranking first in school history. By the end of the 2023 college season, he was the only active punter in the NCAA with more than 13,000 total punting yards.
Vanderbilt Highlights
At Vanderbilt, Hayball established himself as the program’s all-time leader in punting average at 46.5 yards per punt. His senior season average of 47.6 yards ranked in the top ten nationally and led the SEC, with his career totals at Vanderbilt including 116 punts for 5,347 yards. He was named the College Football Network SEC Punter of the Year and earned Second-team All-American honors, the first such honor for a Vanderbilt player at any position since 2016. His Ray Guy Punter of the Week recognition following his 50.3-yard average performance highlighted his ability to deliver exceptional games when needed most.
Florida Atlantic Highlights
During his three seasons at Florida Atlantic from 2019 to 2021, Hayball appeared in 35 games and punted 174 times for 7,726 yards with a 44.4-yard career average. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman team honors in 2019 and was named the Special Teams MVP of the Boca Raton Bowl that season. His consistent improvement each year, from 43.5 yards per punt as a freshman to 45.7 yards as a junior, demonstrated his development trajectory.
| Level | Games | Punts | Yards | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic (2019–2021) | 35 | 174 | 7,726 | 44.4 |
| Vanderbilt (2022–2023) | 24 | 116 | 5,347 | 46.1 |
| NFL (2024) | 17 | 75 | 3,303 | 43.7 |
Matthew Hayball Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew Hayball’s father played in the Central Australian Football League, establishing a football lineage within the family. This early exposure to organized football provided Matthew with foundational knowledge and appreciation for the sport from a young age. The Hayball family’s connection to Australian rules football shaped his initial athletic path before his eventual transition to American football.
Personal Life
Hayball pursued higher education alongside his football career, earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in organizational performance from Vanderbilt University. This academic achievement demonstrated his ability to balance rigorous athletic commitments with scholarly pursuits. He maintains an active presence on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His participation in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl further showcased his standing among the nation’s top collegiate players as he prepared for his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition year for Hayball following his impressive rookie campaign with the New Orleans Saints. After being waived by the Saints in August 2025, he faced the challenge of finding a new NFL team while continuing to develop his skills. His rookie season performance, particularly his league-leading percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line, established his reputation as a reliable and precise specialist capable of flipping field position in crucial situations.
Hayball’s journey from Australian rules football through the college ranks to the NFL exemplifies the pathway that Prokick Australia has created for Australian kickers seeking opportunities in American football. His success at Vanderbilt, where he became the school’s first All-American punter in nearly a decade, demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest collegiate levels. The transition to finding a new team in 2025 tested his resilience and adaptability as he worked toward securing a long-term NFL roster spot.