Matthew Hayball Bio
Matthew Hayball is an Australian professional American football punter born on 12 March 1997 in Adelaide, South Australia. He has played for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL) after an impressive college career at Florida Atlantic University and Vanderbilt University. Previously, he played Australian rules football and was drafted into the Australian Football League (AFL) before transitioning to American football. Hayball has earned notable accolades for his performance on the field, including being recognized as a Second-team All-American and First-team All-SEC in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Hayball was born and raised in West Adelaide, Australia. His father played in the Central Australian Football League, which likely influenced Hayball’s early interest in sports. He attended Sacred Heart College in Adelaide, where he developed his skills in Australian rules football. During his teenage years, he played as a midfielder for the West Adelaide Football Club U18s, showcasing his potential in the sport.
In 2015, Hayball was the final pick of the AFL national draft, chosen 70th overall by the Geelong Football Club. His selection was unexpected, as he was not widely recognized prior to the draft. Despite this, he played three years for Geelong, participating in 50 matches in the Victorian Football League (VFL). However, he was delisted after failing to appear in an AFL game.
Path to American Football
After being delisted by Geelong, Matthew Hayball sought a new path in American football. He contacted Nathan Chapman to join Chapman’s Prokick Australia academy, which helps Australians secure athletic scholarships to play college football in the United States. This decision led him to enroll at Florida Atlantic University in 2019, where he began his college football career as a punter for the Florida Atlantic Owls.
In his freshman year, Hayball made an immediate impact, punting 68 times for 2,958 yards and earning a place on the Conference USA All-Freshman team. He continued to excel in subsequent seasons, achieving honorable mention All-Conference USA honors and being named to the Academic All-Conference team. In 2022, he transferred to Vanderbilt University, where he further solidified his reputation as a top punter, averaging 45.36 yards per punt and earning multiple accolades, including first-team All-SEC.
Matthew Hayball Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Matthew Hayball’s early career in college football began at Florida Atlantic University, where he played from 2019 to 2021. In his freshman year, he appeared in 14 games, punting 68 times for 2,958 yards, which ranked him 33rd nationally with an average of 43.5 yards per punt. His performance earned him recognition as the Special Teams MVP in the Boca Raton Bowl victory.
Over the next two years, he continued to improve, totaling 61 punts for 2,785 yards in 2021, with a punting average of 45.7 yards. His consistent performance led to multiple honors, including being named to the Academic All-Conference team.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Hayball’s transition to Vanderbilt University in 2022 marked a significant breakthrough in his career. In his first season with the Commodores, he played in 12 games, punting 59 times for 2,634 yards, achieving a long of 65 yards and placing fourth in school history with a punting average of 45.36 yards. His performance garnered attention, and he was named to the SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll.
In 2023, as a senior, Hayball had a standout season, punting 57 times for 2,713 yards and achieving a remarkable average of 47.6 yards per punt, ranking him among the top ten nationally. He earned several accolades, including being named a Second-team All-American and the first-team All-SEC punter by multiple selectors. His success culminated in being a finalist for the prestigious Ray Guy Award, recognizing the best punter in college football.
Notable Works and Milestones
Matthew Hayball’s collegiate career concluded with him becoming Vanderbilt’s all-time leader in punting average, with an impressive average of 46.5 yards per punt. He finished his college career with a total of 289 punts for 13,073 yards, making him the only active punter in the NCAA with over 13,000 total yards by the end of the 2023 season. His achievements in college football set the stage for his entry into the professional ranks.
Matthew Hayball Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matthew Hayball has received several nominations and accolades, particularly during his time at Vanderbilt University. His recognition as a Second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC punter highlights his exceptional performance on the field.
Matthew Hayball Awards Won
Matthew Hayball has earned notable awards during his college football career, including being named Second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2023. These accolades reflect his skill and dedication as a punter.
Matthew Hayball Family
Information regarding Matthew Hayball’s family is limited and not publicly disclosed.
Personal Life
Matthew Hayball’s personal life details are not extensively documented. He has focused primarily on his football career, with no public information available regarding relationships or children.