Aussie teenager Archie Wilson wins over Nebraska after breaking down while missing family in press conference

7NEWS

19 hours ago

Australian teenager Archie Wilson has won over the University of Nebraska as he embarks on a college football career as a punter in the US.
But the sudden move from Melbourne to a foreign city has hit hard, with the 19-year-old former Aussie Rules junior breaking down as he spoke of missing his family.
Watch the video above: Aussie teenager Archie Wilson breaks down after leaving family for college.
'That part's hard. I mean... I'm sorry,' Wilson said as he paused his press conference.
'I love them a lot. I got two little brothers, and my mum and dad. That's the tough part about being here. I love them a lot and I miss them.'
Wilson said the transition has not been too difficult otherwise.
But on the positive side, Wilson said his nearest and dearest are already locked in to head over to Nebraska for the start of the season.
'They know this is what's best for me,' he said.
'It's good I can still talk to them plenty over the phone. They're coming here to see the first few games, so I'm looking forward to that.'
Wilson was plucked out of Prokick Australia after special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler sought a similar skillset to the Aussie punters who played under him at the University of Tennessee.
The Victorian can kick equally well with both feet, a talent honed after suffering a broken ankle as a junior footy player but still wanting to train.
'He's going to be a damn weapon,' Ekeler said.
'I've known about him for quite a while, and absolutely, positively everything about him was what we were looking for.'
The Aussie also aced his freshman challenge of performing a song — Piano Man by Billy Joel, in his case — during a team meeting.
'I went up and smashed it, I'm not going to lie,' Wilson laughed.
The performance convinced Nebraska coach Matt Rhule that Wilson is 'just the most interesting man in the world to me' — alongside his on-field efforts.
'I've never enjoyed (watching) punt periods in my life, but it's my favorite period of practice right now,' Rhule added.
'I just could watch Archie punt all day. I've never seen anything like it, so it's like watching a YouTube short. The guy's amazing.'
Wilson's teammate Jacory Barney Jr said he was also fascinated by the Aussie's obsessions off the field.
'That guy, he's amazing,' Barney said.
'He just walks around the facility all day just like hitting the ball, and I'm like 'Arch, bro, is this all you do?' He's like 'this is all they do in Australia'.
'He sleeps with a football, he's just kicking the ball all day, and that's all he knows is punting. So I love him. We get extra work all the time, that's my guy.'
The punter looks set to play his first game of organised football at none other than Arrowhead Stadium, the home of recent NFL Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, in a fortnight.
'I'm really excited,' Wilson said.
'I don't normally get too nervous when it comes to things. I mean, this is a whole different level, but I'm more excited. Huge crowd. Arrowhead. Thursday night. It doesn't get much bigger.'