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OGDEN — Weber State punter Blake O’Neill is used to expanding his horizons.
He moved from his native Australia to Ogden, Utah; he’s pursuing a master’s degree in professional communication; and, the biggest of all, he’s playing American college football in spite of only playing Australian-rules football in his youth. Yet, for O’Neill, it’s all just been one big positive experience.
“I’ve always had a love for American football,” said O’Neill, who hails from Melbourne, Australia. “I’d seen a couple of guys come over here and do quite well and be successful with (kicking). I finished my studies, and had always wanted to play American football, so (here I am).”
While he was first introduced to American football through video games, it wasn’t until later in his sporting career that he had the opportunity to work out for the same kicking academy that produced Utah punter Tom Hackett. With Wildcats coach Jay Hill having coached special teams at Utah, Hill learned about O’Neill and was struck by his natural skill and ability.
O'Neill and Utah punter Tom Hackett both studied at the same kicking academy in Australia.
“I met (Blake’s coach in Australia) a couple years ago, and he sent me film on Blake and I loved it,” he said. “When I see what I want to see on film, Blake was just an outstanding player. So, we took him; he came in and was exactly what I thought he was going to be.”
O’Neill said Hill’s pitch to join the new movement at Weber was strong.
“It’s a big move to move my life all the way over here from Australia, and I needed to be sure I was coming to the right place,” he said. “And, speaking to (Hill) on the phone and the things he was able to say about Weber State and the direction he wants to take Weber, it gave me the confidence that I could come in here and make a good fit.”
Special teams are sometimes viewed as a lesser role in the game of football, and kickers are rarely even selected in the draft by professional teams. However, serious football fans understand that a good punter can be the difference between winning and losing in the ultra-competitive world of college football.
Hill said the punting position is one of the most valuable positions on any football team.
“That’s one of your more important jobs; you want to have a good defense, and you want to have a good punter,” he said. “(A punter) is consistently changing field position; he does a good job of backing (an opponent) up when you’re in the sky territory; and, when you’re backed up, he can change field position. The punter is a huge part of your team.”
O’Neill saw firsthand how important that job is when he played in his first-ever college game against No. 19 Arizona State. O’Neill admittedly had a mixed performance, with good and bad punts, and said the experience taught him valuable lessons.
“It’s a big part of it, looking back at the game and looking back at some good things and some things that didn’t go right,” he said. “I had eight or nine punts, and probably four of those you might take in a normal game. There’s definitely something to be said about that pressure; the pressure pushes you into being hyper-focused, but at the same time you need to stay relaxed.”
Hill said he expects O’Neill to continue to improve as the season continues, and quickly.
“(Blake) knows what he’s looking for,” he said. “One thing that’s hard about those Australians is they don’t really get the game that good, so we’re in the process right now of teaching him the game. … I actually think he’s going to be outstanding.”
Adjusting to the football has been tough, but adjusting to an entirely new country has been challenging for O’Neill. In a few months, he will experience bitterly cold weather for the first time, and is experiencing a new culture. However, O’Neill said he is enjoying Utah a great deal.
“(Utah’s) quite different,” he said. “Utah is a lovely place. I’m used to living in the outdoors; I grew up in the country. There are a lot of similarities, but at the same time, there’s key differences between Americans and Australians. Getting used to those differences took a bit — it was a bit of culture shock to start — but I certainly love Utah as a place, and everyone’s been so welcoming.”
Being in a master’s program, O’Neill is clearly a step ahead of many college football players. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in communications from RMIT University in Australia, and worked in the film industry while in college. All of this has made him a well-rounded person who is excited to see what the future holds, whether it be in football or in a career.
“I came out of the Arizona State game as a bit of a wash, but if anything, it just invigorates me to get better at my craft,” he said. “For these next two years, I’m obviously going to be here, and I want to just enjoy the experience. I want to get as good at punting as I can, and from there, see what happens."
