Michigan Adds Australian Punter Blake O'Neill As Graduate Transfer
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Michigan has added another graduate transfer, bringing in punter Blake O'Neill from Weber State. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, O'Neill played Australian football and competed in shot put before joining the Wildcats last season.
O'Neill played all 12 games for Weber State in 2014 and finished sixth nationally in the Football Championship Series with an average of 44.1 yards per punt.
"We are looking forward to having a player of Blake's level of maturity, background and skill set -- growing up playing Australian rules football -- in our program," Michigan special teams coordinator John Baxter said, per the university web site. "Australian players have made a big impact on college football in the kicking game, like last year's Ray Guy Award winner, Tom Hackett from Utah. We are looking forward to the impact that Blake will have on our team and within our conference."
O'Neill earned his bachelor's degree at RMIT University in Melbourne before coming to the United States.
O'Neill had 62 total punts for Weber State, and 18 went for 50 yards or more, while 25 were downed inside the 20-yard line. His career-best punt went for 74 yards.