Austin McNamara
Current teamNew York Jets
Number14
PositionPunter / Kickoff specialist
Birth dateFebruary 24, 2001 (age 25)[1]
Birth placeSan Jose, California, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in4
Weight lb204
High schoolHighland
CollegeTexas Tech (2019–2023)
Undraftedyear2024
Pastteams
StatusActive
Highlights
  • Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year (2023)
  • 3× First-team All-Big 12 (2019, 2020, 2023)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2021)
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Punts
Statvalue 171
Statlabel 2Punting yards
Statvalue 23,317
Statlabel 3Punting average
Statvalue 346.7
Statlabel 4Longest punt
Statvalue 472
Statlabel 5Inside 20
Statvalue 532
Statlabel 6Touchbacks
Statvalue 610
PfrMcNaAu00

Austin McNamara (born February 24, 2001)[1] is an American professional football punter and kickoff specialist for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Early life

McNamara was born in San Jose, California, and grew up in Gilbert, Arizona.[2] He attended Highland High School in Arizona where he played basketball and football.[3] A placekicker and punter, he averaged 42 yards-per-punt, made 12 field goals and all 63 of his extra point attempts as a senior, being named first-team all-state.[2][4] Ranked as the best punter recruit nationally, McNamara committed to play college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.[5]

College career

McNamara won the starting job at Texas Tech as a true freshman in 2019 and averaged 45.0 yards per punt, which was then fourth all-time in school history, second in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that year among freshmen, and second in the Big 12 Conference.[2] He was selected a freshman All-American and a first-team All-Big 12 player.[6]

The following year, McNamara played nine games and punted 41 times while averaging 46.3 yards per punt, then second all-time in Texas Tech history and fifth in the FBS; he was named first-team All-Big 12 again and second-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football.[2] In a game against West Virginia that season, he recorded a 87-yard punt which broke both the team and Big 12 records.[7][8]

In 2021, McNamara set both the Texas Tech and Big 12 all-time record with a 48.2 yard punting average while playing all 13 games, additionally setting an NCAA single-game record during the year for most 50-yard punts in a game.[2][9][10] He was a second-team all-conference selection and was named first-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, also being named the best special teams player in the state by the publication.[2][11]

McNamara totaled 50 punts and averaged 44.3 yards as a senior in 2022, being named third-team All-Big 12 by Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus.[2] He returned for a final season in 2023, having received an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] He averaged 46.3 yards per punt in his last year, being named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, the first Texas Tech player to receive the honor, as well as first-team All-Big 12.[13] He was one of two punters invited to play at the 2024 Senior Bowl, and the second Texas Tech punter all-time.[14]

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals

After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, McNamara was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.[15][16] He was waived on August 7.[17]

New York Jets

On March 14, 2025, McNamara signed with the New York Jets.[18] He threw for three yards on December 28, 2025, to get a first down against the Patriots.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGPPunting
PuntsYdsLngAvgBlkIns20RetY
2025NYJ17713,3177246.7032133
Career17713,3177246.7032133

References

  1. ^ "Extremely humbled and blessed to see 21 years today! Big year ahead for us let's be great! Appreciate all the birthday wishes as well thank y'all! 🙏🏼❤️ #AGTG #2.24♾". No. 1496912568350355460. February 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Austin McNamara". Texas Tech Red Raiders
  3. ^ Scott, Dana (October 19, 2018). "Highland's McNamara a tall order for foes". Arizona Republic. p. C9. – via Newspapers.com
  4. ^ Obert, Richard (December 25, 2018). "Highland punter Austin McNamara commits to Texas Tech". Arizona Republic
  5. ^ Alvira, Zach (December 27, 2018). "Highland's Austin McNamara excited for opportunity at Texas Tech". East Valley Tribune
  6. ^ "Texas Tech punter Austin McNamara named FWAA Freshman All-American". KLBK-TV. January 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Christy, Pete (October 28, 2020). "Austin McNamara's record breaking punt". KCBD
  8. ^ Schwartz, Nick (October 24, 2020). "Watch Texas Tech punter Austin McNamara bomb a preposterous 87-yard punt". USA Today
  9. ^ Williams, Don (July 5, 2022). "Austin McNamara anchors Texas Tech special teams after record-setting season". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Archived March 12, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 1, 2024. – via archive.is.
  10. ^ Williams, Don (March 30, 2023). "Record-setting Tech punter planning to add kickoff duty". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
  11. ^ "Texas Tech Roundup: Austin McNamara, Red Raiders named to DCTF All-Texas College teams". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. June 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Williams, Don (October 19, 2023). "Austin McNamara back in familiar place when Texas Tech football visits BYU". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Archived October 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 1, 2024. – via archive.is.
  13. ^ Ramirez, Jarrett (December 28, 2023). "Texas Tech's Top 5 Players of 2023". Rivals.com
  14. ^ Collier, David (November 30, 2023). "McNamara accepts Senior Bowl invite". KLBK-TV
  15. ^ Giese, Nathan (April 27, 2024). "See which Texas Tech football players are headed to the NFL as undrafted free agents". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  16. ^ "Bengals Sign 14 College Free Agents". Bengals.com. May 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  17. ^ "Bengals roster moves". Bengals.com. August 7, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  18. ^ Allen, Eric (March 14, 2025). "Jets Sign P Austin McNamara". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved April 21, 2026.