Former Geelong player Matthew Hayball has secured a roster spot with NFL franchise the New Orleans Saints.
Hayball, a punter out of Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, has joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent following the recent NFL Draft.
The 27-year-old spent two seasons on Geelong's list after being drafted at Pick 70 in the 2015 National Draft, with Hayball going on to play 50 games for the Cats' VFL side.
An AFL debut wouldn't arise for the West Adelaide Product.
Hayball's career path eventually pursued American Football as a punter, with Hayball lining up with Australia Prokick before heading to Florida Atlantic University.
A breakout year would come with Vanderbilt - where Hayball has spent the past two seasons - in his most recent campaign with the Commodores, where he would finish as the all-time leader for average punting yards at Vanderbilt and would also earn All-American recognition.
Hayball took 58 punts for Vanderbilt in the 2023 season for a total of 2759 yards - an average of 47.6 yards. His longest kick for the season was 71 yards.
The former Cats utility was one of 15 players signed to the Saints as an undrafted free agent and becomes New Orleans' second listed punter.
Hayball's move to the NFL follows former Gold Coast-listed player Patrick Murtagh's signing with NFL franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars.
New Orleans narrowly missed out on a playoff position in the 2023 season despite a positive 9-8 record.
The 2024 NFL season is scheduled to commence in September.
