TAMPA, Fla – Spending several years in the hospitality industry in another country does not seem to be a blueprint for launching a college football career. Alas, it has worked out very well for Andrew Stokes.
Like many punters and kickers who hail from Australia, Stokes found his way to the States for a college education and an opportunity to play football in his late twenties. The former Australian Rules football player attended ProKick Australia, which since 2007 has trained and mentored athletes seeking to transition to the American game. The program, which also helps find a college or university for the athletes, has developed into quite a pipeline for coaches to tap into.
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Mitch Wishnowsky (Utah), Cam Johnston (Ohio State), Tom Hackett (Utah) and Aaryn Siposs (Auburn) are among those who at the very least had outstanding college careers with all but Hackett having made it in the NFL. That quartet that helped set the stage for those like Stokes.
“Those guys were pivotal in getting the ProKick name out there and really showing what Aussies can do,” said Stokes, who spent seven years as a manager at a hospitality and catering warehouse in his native Perth. “There are a lot of guys in college now from ProKick. They are also getting some notice and helping ProKick a lot.”
Stokes, who followed fellow Aussie punter Trent Schneider at USF, got his name out there by putting together a film package highlighting his development with ProKick.
“I sent it to a few schools and USF was the first one to offer me a full ride,” he said. “For me, it was an awesome opportunity to go to another country, play a high-level sport and have a unique experience that none of my friends back home would have.”
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Stokes, who is averaging 45.0 yards on 11 punts through two games, committed to USF in May 2020. He debuted with the Bulls in 2021 at age 27. Now 30, Stokes is older than two assistants on coach Alex Golesh’s staff, and certainly a few analysts.
“Andrew Stokes is probably my favorite person on this football team,” said Golesh. “He brings such a cool approach because he wants to fit in, but he is also looked at as a father figure in the specialists room. The young guys literally follow him around. He is like papa bear.”
Stokes’ mother and uncle visited Tampa last season and took in a couple of games. His parents will be in town later this season for his graduation, which will be a very proud moment for the family.
“It was cool having them experience what I have loved doing for the last couple of years,” he said. “To have them there was really important for me. To have them all here this year for my graduation will be even more important.”
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