Brad Wing: Australian Hero (Australian article)

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...The touchdown was denied, a penalty was called, and football fans across America thought our boy was robbed by joyless rule enforcers.

It hasn't held Wing back, though. Apparently his Aussie Rules background has given him kicking talents rarely seen in American football. His prowess with the boot has propelled him to minor celebrity — this university undergraduate has more than 8000 followers on Twitter — so much so that the Wall Street Journal featured him in a glowing profile:

What sets Wing apart from other punters is he isn't one of them. A native of Melbourne, the left-footed Wing grew up playing Australian Rules Football, where precise punting and goal kicking are the game's most important skills

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For most American punters, directional punting is a high-wire act. Misfire the punt toward the center of the field, and it sets up an easy return. Launch one at too wide of an angle, and it probably sails out of bounds.

"It's extremely difficult to be consistent with directional punting," said Sean Landeta, a former NFL punter and three-time All-Pro selection. "If you literally—and I mean literally—turn a couple of inches too far to the right, you can hit a wonderful punt, but it'll go out of bounds at the 40 instead of the 20."

Wing seldom has such issues. His greatest asset, coaches and teammates say, is his precision, not his leg. Wing said he typically can land the ball within five yards of his target when he uses the drop punt. "He can place it wherever he wants," said Drew Alleman, LSU's kicker.

Brad, mate: we salute you.

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