Jeremy Crawshaw was born in Australia and grew up playing rugby league before later switching to Australian rules football. Then, as a teenager, his attention turned to American football.

“It started when I was about 14 or 15,” Crawshaw said at rookie minicamp earlier this year. “I found out about Prokick Australia, which is the program that gets scholarships for guys who come over here and punt. I found out at first it was just to get to college, that was the dream. Coming from across the world and never having played it, I was just trying to go to college first. Once we got to college and got onto the big stage, the sights were set for the NFL.”

Advertisement

After punting 52 times for 2,293 yards with the Florida Gators in 2021, Crawshaw knew he might eventually have a chance to go pro.

“Probably after my freshman year,” Crawshaw said. “I think I [thought], ‘I’m OK, I’m all right. I did well, and let’s go do better.’ Each year was just progressing and getting to a point where I could be in this league.”

He went on to punt 190 times for 8,820 yards in 53 games with the Gators, averaging 46.4 yards per boot. He was then picked by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of this year’s NFL draft.

“Originally, when I came to America, my coaches asked me where I wanted to play and I said that I wanted to go to the University of Colorado,” Crawshaw recalled. “Denver looks beautiful, and I’d love to go there. I [ultimately] went to the University of Florida and played there and absolutely loved it. It’s a bit of a full circle moment where I am back, and I’m here now where I wanted to be originally. It’s awesome.”

Advertisement

So far, (mostly) so good for the rookie punter.

Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi said last month that Crawshaw is “as talented of a prospect as I’ve ever had.” There’s still room for improvement, though, particularly with his consistency.

“I would say it’s kind of like right now the fireworks,” coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “There are some booms, and then every once in a while, there’s one of those we have to work on the ones that just go right. We have to get those handled. He certainly has the leg talent, you can see that. It’s exciting.”

Overall, Denver’s staff is pleased with Crawshaw and his powerful leg, but the rookie needs to improve his consistency during preseason ahead of his first season in the NFL. Fans often overlook the kicking game, but Crawshaw’s development will be one of the key storylines to follow at training camp this summer.

Advertisement

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Sean Payton wants Jeremy Crawshaw to improve this area