Corliss Waitman Bio
Corliss Leendert Waitman is a Belgian-American professional football punter in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the South Alabama Jaguars, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since built a journeyman career across several franchises. His diverse upbringing, with roots in Suriname and a childhood spent in Belgium and the Netherlands, has shaped his unique perspective in the sport. He is widely known for his work as a punter and for his strong leg and directional control on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Corliss Leendert Waitman was born on 21 July 1995 in Ghent, Belgium. His mother’s family is from Suriname, giving him a multicultural heritage that spans South America and Western Europe. His father, José Waitman, was a professional basketball player who was playing in Belgium at the time of Corliss’s birth.
After his birth, the family relocated to the Netherlands, where Corliss spent much of his childhood. When he was 15 years old, he moved to the United States to live with his father, settling in Milton, Florida. The transition introduced him to American culture and, eventually, to American football, the sport that would define his professional career. Waitman is fluent in both Dutch and English, a reflection of his international upbringing.
Path to American Football
Waitman attended Milton High School in Milton, Florida, where he initially played soccer before switching to football. The switch proved pivotal, as his athletic background and powerful leg translated naturally to the punting game. His high school performances drew the attention of college recruiters, and he eventually committed to the University of South Alabama.
At South Alabama, Waitman played for the Jaguars from 2014 to 2018, developing into one of the top punters in the Sun Belt Conference. His strongest collegiate season came in 2017, when he was named First-team All-Sun Belt for his efforts. After his senior year, Waitman transferred to Mississippi State University in February 2019 in pursuit of an extra year of eligibility, but the NCAA denied the request and he did not play in 2019. He entered the 2020 NFL draft as an undrafted prospect and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after the draft.
Corliss Waitman Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Waitman signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on 28 April 2020. He was waived early in the season and re-signed to the practice squad, later signing a reserve/future contract in January 2021 before being waived again in May. Those early stints gave him valuable insight into the speed and demands of a professional special teams room.
In July 2021, Waitman was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders but was waived in late August. He then joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad in November 2021. On Christmas Day 2021, the Steelers signed him off the Patriots’ practice squad after punter Pressley Harvin III took bereavement leave. Waitman made his NFL debut the following day in a Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs before being waived in January 2022.
Denver Broncos Era (2022)
Waitman was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos on 17 January 2022, giving him his first full-time NFL opportunity. He was also selected by the Edmonton Elks in the third round of the 2022 CFL global draft, though he remained in the NFL. After veteran punter Sam Martin was released on 29 August 2022, Waitman was named the Broncos’ starting punter.
His best game of the 2022 season came in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, an 11–10 win in which he punted ten times, placing six inside the 20-yard line. The performance earned him American Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors and signaled his arrival as a reliable NFL punter.
New England Patriots Return and Chicago Bears (2023–2024)
On 23 March 2023, Waitman signed a contract with the New England Patriots following the release of Jake Bailey. He was released in late August, re-signed to the practice squad, and ultimately released again in October. In January 2024, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chicago Bears, though he was waived in August 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–2025)
On 9 September 2024, Waitman signed again with the Steelers after a season-ending injury to Cameron Johnston. He went on to punt 65 times in 2024, averaging 46.4 yards per punt with 27 punts inside the 20-yard line. His longest punt of the season traveled 71 yards in a narrow 18–16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Waitman also made his postseason debut in the Steelers’ 28–14 loss to the Ravens on 11 January 2025, punting five times for 257 yards, a 51.4-yard average.
In 2025, Waitman returned to the Steelers to compete with Johnston during training camp and the preseason. When Johnston was released on 25 August 2025, Waitman officially became the Steelers’ starting punter for a second consecutive season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Waitman’s game is built around directional control and consistency rather than pure power alone. He has shown an ability to flip the field, evidenced by his 46.4-yard career punting average and a long of 71 yards, while also demonstrating strong placement skills with 84 career punts inside the 20-yard line. His ability to adapt quickly to new coaching staffs and schemes has been a hallmark of his journeyman career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waitman’s 2022 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award following the win over the 49ers stands as one of his signature NFL moments. His 2024 postseason debut and his bounce-back 2025 starting role with the Steelers further cemented his reputation as a reliable late-career punter.
Corliss Waitman Career Wins
While punter wins are not tracked individually, Waitman’s career is highlighted by several team victories in which his leg played a pivotal role. His standout performance came in the Broncos’ 11–10 win over the 49ers in 2022, where his six punts inside the 20-yard line helped secure the narrow victory. He also contributed to the Steelers’ 18–16 win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2024 with a 71-yard punt that flipped field position.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Waitman had recorded 230 career punts for 10,673 yards, averaging 46.4 yards per attempt, with a long of 71 yards. He placed 84 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line against just 15 touchbacks, an outstanding ratio. His postseason debut in January 2025 added a 51.4-yard average across five punts against the Ravens.
Other Performances
Waitman’s lone collegiate honor was his 2017 First-team All-Sun Belt selection at South Alabama. He was also selected by the Edmonton Elks in the 2022 CFL global draft, recognition of his international profile, though he remained in the NFL.
Corliss Waitman Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Waitman’s father, José Waitman, is a former professional basketball player who was playing in Belgium at the time of Corliss’s birth. His mother’s family has roots in Suriname, contributing to his Belgian-American identity and international perspective. The athletic pedigree of his father helped lay the foundation for Corliss’s own career in professional sports.
Personal Life
Waitman was raised across Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States, and he is fluent in Dutch and English. His move to the U.S. at age 15 to join his father in Milton, Florida, marked a turning point that ultimately led him to football.
2025 Season Performance
Waitman entered the 2025 season competing with Cameron Johnston for the Steelers’ punting job during training camp and the preseason. The battle ended when Johnston was released on 25 August 2025, allowing Waitman to claim the starting role for a second straight year. His strong camp showing and proven 2024 production, a 46.4-yard average and 27 punts inside the 20, set the stage for a stable 2025 campaign.
Building on his bounce-back 2024 season, Waitman is expected to handle the bulk of the Steelers’ punting duties as the team pushes for a return to the postseason. His proven ability to flip the field and place punts inside the 20-yard line fits well with Pittsburgh’s defensive approach. With a second consecutive starting opportunity secured, Waitman’s outlook for the rest of 2025 is among the most stable of his career.
