Mitch Wishnowsky Bio
Mitch Wishnowsky is an Australian professional American football punter currently playing for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 3, 1992, in Gosnells, Western Australia, he has established himself as a skilled punter with a notable college and professional career. He played college football for the Santa Barbara City Vaqueros and the Utah Utes, earning prestigious honors including the Ray Guy Award in 2016. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, Wishnowsky has since contributed significantly to his teams with his punting expertise.
Early Life and Background
Mitch Wishnowsky was born in Gosnells, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. He attended Lumen Christi College from 2005 to 2009. Growing up, he played Australian rules football and competed for Perth in the WAFL Reserves. However, repeated shoulder injuries forced him to give up full-contact Australian rules football at age 18. Despite this, he continued playing a flag version of the sport with friends. At 16, he left secondary school to work as a glazier.
Path to American Football
Wishnowsky’s transition to American football began when a friend connected him to Prokick Australia, a Melbourne-based training center that converts Australian rules players into gridiron punters. In 2013, he moved across the country to enroll in Prokick and spent a year training there. Utah had previously recruited another Prokick graduate, Tom Hackett, and arranged to reserve a scholarship for Wishnowsky after Hackett’s career ended in 2015. To secure NCAA eligibility, Wishnowsky played for Santa Barbara City College in 2014 and redshirted in 2015 while completing his associate degree.
Mitch Wishnowsky Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Mitch Wishnowsky played college football initially for the Santa Barbara City Vaqueros before transferring to the Utah Utes. His 2016 season was outstanding, winning the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best punter and earning unanimous All-American honors. That year, he ranked second nationally in punting average with 47.7 yards and led in punts downed inside the opponent’s 10-yard line. He continued to perform at a high level through 2017 and 2018, earning second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Wishnowsky quickly made an impact as a rookie. He signed a four-year contract and earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 9 after landing five punts inside the 20-yard line during a win over the Arizona Cardinals. He finished his rookie season with a 44.87-yard punting average and played in Super Bowl LIV. Over subsequent seasons, he maintained strong performance averages, including a 46.86-yard average in 2020 and 45.02 yards in 2021. In 2021, due to an injury to the team’s kicker, Wishnowsky took over kicking duties for a game, becoming the first Australian to score a point in an NFL game. In 2022, he signed a four-year, $13 million contract extension with the 49ers.
Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
In September 2025, Wishnowsky briefly joined the Washington Commanders practice squad as a contingency for an injured player but was released shortly after. Later that month, he signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, replacing fellow Australian punter Cameron Johnston. This move marks the latest chapter in his NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mitch Wishnowsky is known for his precise and powerful punting, with a strong ability to place punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. His Australian rules football background contributes to his unique punting technique and versatility. He has demonstrated adaptability by successfully handling both punting and emergency kicking duties.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Wishnowsky’s career include winning the Ray Guy Award in college, earning unanimous All-American status, and becoming the first Australian to score points in an NFL game. His rookie season culminated in an appearance in Super Bowl LIV, highlighting his rapid rise in professional football.
Mitch Wishnowsky Career Wins
As a punter, Mitch Wishnowsky’s career is measured more by his punting averages and placement success rather than traditional wins. Throughout his NFL tenure, he has consistently ranked among the league’s top punters, contributing to his teams’ field position advantages.
College Highlights
During his time at Utah, Wishnowsky’s punting average peaked at 47.7 yards in 2016, earning him the Ray Guy Award. He was recognized as a first-team All-Pac-12 selection for three consecutive years and was a unanimous All-American in 2016.
Professional Highlights
In the NFL, Wishnowsky has maintained punting averages in the mid-40s, with notable performances earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His ability to pin opponents deep in their territory has been a valuable asset for his teams.
Mitch Wishnowsky Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no publicly available information regarding Mitch Wishnowsky’s family background in sports or racing lineage.
Personal Life
Mitch Wishnowsky is married to Maddie, and the couple has a daughter. Details about his personal life remain private beyond this information.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Mitch Wishnowsky began the season with the Washington Commanders practice squad but was released early in the season. Subsequently, he signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, stepping in to replace an injured punter. This season represents a period of transition as he adapts to a new team environment. His experience and consistent punting skills are expected to contribute positively to the Bills’ special teams unit moving forward.