SAM Irwin-Hill's NFL dream is alive again after the punter was this week signed by the Dallas Cowboys.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The former Bendigo Pioneers midfielder joins the Cowboys - often referered to as 'America's team - on the eve of the NFL Draft, which kicks-off on Friday morning (Australian time).
It's a rare move for teams to sign free agents so close to the draft, though the Cowboys have bucked that trend by signing two in as many weeks.
The Cowboys last week signed veteran safety Robert Blanton, who last season played with the Buffalo Bills after being drafted in 2012 by the Minnesota Vikings.
Irwin-Hill's lucky break came after month's refining his punting and kicking technique under the guidance of former NFL punters, and ProKick Australia coach Nathan Chapman, who played three pre-season games for the Green Bay Packers in the mid-2000s.
The 26-year-old had garnered plenty of interest in recent weeks from NFL clubs, including the Packers, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens, but it was the Cowboys who pounced early this morning (Australian time).
His mother Susan, who now lives in Canberra, said she was absolutely floored when "Samuel" rang with the good news.
"He's in amazing form, the best he's ever been, kicking and as an athlete," she said.
"The Cowboys grabbed him because of the word that was around from his agent from the combine he did in March in Arizona and also the guys who were training him in San Diego.
"He rang this morning after he finished the tryout at (the Cowboys home) AT&T Stadium in Dallas and he was just amazed."
Things have moved quickly for Irwin-Hill, who will report for his first practice with the Cowboys on Monday.
This is Irwin-Hill's third stint on a NFL roster.
The former Bendigo Catholic College student spent weeks in training camp with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 and again in 2016.
It followed a two-year college stint with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Irwin-Hill started 25 games in two seasons with the Razorbacks.
As a junior in 2013 he led the powerful Southeastern Conference with 20 punts inside the 20-yard line, and his 44.3 yards-per-punt average ranked third.
Irwin-Hill is expected to provide depth on the Cowboys' 90-man summer roster behind last season's starter Chris Jones.
Jones, who like Irwin-Hill went undrafted, joined the Cowboys in 2011.
He is coming off a career high 45.9-yard punt average last season.
Irwin-Hill rose to prominence in 2014 when he faked a punt and scored a 51-yard touchdown for Arkansas against long-time rivals Texas A & M in a nationally televised college game.
The Razorbacks-Aggies game was ironically played in the Cowboys' home stadium.
It's been a rollercoaster 18 months for Irwin-Hill, who early last year was drafted into a new major US football league, which never got off the ground.
"But Sam just kept training and kept the dream going and today his persistence and own belief paid off," she said.
