Saints Countdown to Kickoff: Matthew Hayball is the Saints Player of Day 43
There are 43 days left before the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 regular season. They'll do so at home against the Arizona Cardinals, also marking the first official game on the sidelines for new head coach Kellen Moore. Punter Matthew Hayball wears No. 43 for New Orleans, looking to enter his second year with the squad. Our Saints Player of the Day, here's a closer look at Hayball's background.
Growing up in west Australia, Hayball was a midfielder in Australian rules football and was even selected in the 2015 Australian Football League draft, where he played for three years. He originally attended Florida Atlantic University in America. In three years with the Owls, he averaged 44.4 yards per punt and was honorable mention All-Conference USA twice. Hayball transferred to Vanderbilt in 2022 and would average 46.5 yards per punt in his two years with the Commodores. As a senior in 2023, Hayball was awarded 1st Team All-SEC and 2nd Team All-American accolades.
While not selected in the 2024 NFL draft, Hayball was the second overall choice in the Canadian Football League global draft by the Ottawa Redblacks. Instead, he'd elect a training camp tryout with the New Orleans Saints. Hayball would beat out Saints incumbent punter and fellow Australian Lou Hedley for the job in preseason. Hayball had a gross average of 44 yards and net average of 40.4 last season. He pinned 41 of his 75 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line and had just 3 touchbacks. He'd also execute a fake punt, rushing 11 yards for a first down. Hayball led the NFL last season in punts downed inside the opposing 20.
Matthew Hayball will face competition again for a roster spot, this time as the incumbent. Undrafted rookie James Burnip from Alabama, also an Australian rules football player, was signed by New Orleans after the draft. The Saints have had a different punter in each of the last three seasons.
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