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Alex Mastromanno is punting his way into American football history—or at least trying to. The former AFL hopeful turned Florida State punter is now eyeing the NFL, proving that when one Aussie door closes, another opens wide, covered in shoulder pads and Doritos dust. Unlike most American kickers who grew up playing Madden, Mastromanno actually has a leg that’s done more than deliver pizza.

Australians making it in the NFL isn’t new, but it never stops being funny. Americans watch these guys walk in, talk weird, and then casually boot the pigskin 60 yards like they’re launching satellites. Meanwhile, U.S. commentators lose their minds trying to pronounce “Mastromanno” without turning it into a pasta dish.

The juicy backstory? Mastromanno ditched AFL in 2020 and joined the Prokick Australia pipeline, aka the magical boot camp that transforms Aussie rules players into gridiron weapons. He crushed it in college, averaging 45.5 yards per punt and now hopes to snag a draft pick or at least an invite that doesn’t end in “thanks, but nah.” If he makes it, he’ll join the likes of Michael Dickson and Mitch Wishnowsky in the very niche but surprisingly glamorous club of “Aussies Who Kick For A Living (In America).” The update?

Scouts are watching, his agent is sweating, and Mastromanno’s legs might just be the next big thing in U.S. football—assuming they don’t get tackled by bureaucracy or Buffalo snow. Sources: The Age – “Alex Mastromanno set sights on NFL draft” (24 Apr 2025) 9News – “Aussie punter hoping to make NFL leap” (24 Apr 2025)