Since the Nebraska football team ended its 2024 campaign, head coach Matt Rhule has discussed reshaping its special teams. The first step in the makeover was firing a longtime assistant, Ed Foley. Hiring Mike Ekeler was the first big step, and on Monday, it appears the Huskers have finished the first phase with the addition of Archie Wilson.
Since Ekeler came over from Tennessee, things have taken a sharp turn. He’s “suggested” several special teams players go elsewhere and brought in a new kicker from a former Pac-12 program. Now he’s got his new punter.
Archie Wilson arrival caps first phase of Nebraska’s Mike Ekeler-led special-teams overhaul
Australian Rugy-style punter Archie Wilson has been rumored to be coming to the Nebraska football program for a few weeks now. He fits the bill of what Ekeler wants to do with his unit in an overhaul that Rhule and NU fans hope will result in a much better group in 2025. Sean Callahan of On3 reported early Monday that the move is official.
Wilson took his official visit to Lincoln over the weekend, and NU’s players and coaches reported back to work Sunday evening for summer workouts and OTAs. Wilson will join the team immediately.
Wilson replaces Washington transfer punter Jack McCallister, who left Nebraska for Purdue after the spring. Wilson fits the Ekeler scheme to a tee, as he is a versatile rollout rugby style. Wilson can roll out and punt with both his left and right foot, depending on where the rush is coming from and what direction he is attempting to punt.
Not only does the new Aussie punter match the style and approach that the Huskers’ new special teams coordinator is looking for this season, but he comes with some blue ribbon endorsements. Wilson is from the program in Australia that former Iowa and now Chicago Bears punter Tory Taylor is also a graduate.
Like Wilson, Taylor was a product of Prokick Australia, a program renowned for preparing Australian athletes for careers in American football.
Taylor is also one of the players who has cemented the idea that Iowa’s punters are real weapons. In 2023, he set an NCAA record with 93 punts totaling 4,479 yards, a record that previously dated back to 1938. Taylor’s accomplishments helped him win the 2023 Ray Guy Award, given to college football’s top punter.
Obviously, the Nebraska football team hopes it doesn’t have to call on Archie Wilson nearly as often as Iowa did on Taylor. However, should it need to use the Australian punter, Mike Ekeler believes he has a special-teams weapon.