Former AFL player Billy Gowers is flying early in his life as an NFL punter.
The 33-game Western Bulldogs player who most recently played AFL in 2020 before four years in the VFL for Southport and Port Melbourne now represents the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors which competes in Division I of NCAA FBS College Football.
The 29-year-old is one of the older players in the league and made his debut as a punter two weeks ago, impressing with his ability to kick off both feet.
After averaging 55 yards per punt in that first game, he averaged 40 yards in his most recent outing, and has gone at 49 yards from his 11 punts across the season.
He's been rated the top graded punter in the nation with a staggering Pro Football Focus player grade of 89, three games into his career.
He was also recently named on the Ray Guy Award Watchlist for college football's most outstanding punter
Gowers' decision to pursue college football followed strong interest from Kabaddi League clubs in India.