James Burnip Competes for Saints Punting Job Ahead of Season Opener
With only 46 days remaining until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2025 regular season at home against the Arizona Cardinals, the team is focused on finalizing its roster. A key player in this process is James Burnip, a rookie punter vying for a spot against the incumbent, Matthew Hayball. Under new head coach Kellen Moore, the competition for the punting position has intensified.
Burnip, aged 24, hails from Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 235 pounds, he brings a unique background to the NFL. Prior to joining the Saints, Burnip played for the Alabama Crimson Tide after a successful stint in Australian rules football at Victoria University. He secured the punting job at Alabama as a freshman in 2021, demonstrating exceptional skill throughout his college career.
In the 2023 season, Burnip’s performance reached new heights as he led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with 2,806 yards, averaging an impressive 47.6 yards per punt. This remarkable achievement earned him 2nd Team All-SEC honors and solidified his status as one of the top punting prospects leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Despite Burnip’s strong credentials, the draft saw only one punter selected: Jeremy Crawshaw from Florida, who was picked in the sixth round by the Denver Broncos. Consequently, Burnip signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was also chosen in the second round of the Canadian Football League global draft by the Ottawa Redblacks, showcasing his international appeal.
The Saints have experienced instability at the punter position in recent years, cycling through three different punters in the past three seasons. Both Hayball and previous punter Lou Hedley were also former Australian rules football players, illustrating the club’s strategy of tapping into talent from that sport. Now, Burnip will compete directly with Hayball for the punting role, aiming to secure his place in the lineup for the upcoming season.
As the countdown to the opener continues, Burnip’s journey from Australia to the NFL highlights the growing influence of international players in American football. The Saints will look to finalize their roster soon, with the competition for the punting job becoming one of the most anticipated storylines leading into the 2025 season.
