Austin McNamara

Austin McNamara (born February 24, 2001) He attended Highland High School in Arizona where he played basketball and football. A placekicker and punter, he averaged 42 yards-per-punt, made 12 field goals and all 63 of his extra point attempts as a senior, being named first-team all-state. Ranked as the best punter recruit nationally, McNamara committed to play college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

College career McNamara won the starting job at Texas Tech as a true freshman in 2019 and averaged 45.0 yards per punt, which was then fourth all-time in school history, second in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that year among freshmen, and second in the Big 12 Conference.

The following year, McNamara played nine games and punted 41 times while averaging 46.3 yards per punt, then second all-time in Texas Tech history and fifth in the FBS; he was named first-team All-Big 12 again and second-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football.

In 2021, McNamara set both the Texas Tech and Big 12 all-time record with a 48.2 yard punting average while playing all 13 games, additionally setting an NCAA single-game record during the year for most 50-yard punts in a game. He was a second-team all-conference selection and was named first-team All-Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, also being named the best special teams player in the state by the publication.

McNamara totaled 50 punts and averaged 44.3 yards as a senior in 2022, being named third-team All-Big 12 by Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus. He averaged 46.3 yards per punt in his last year, being named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, the first Texas Tech player to receive the honor, as well as first-team All-Big 12. He was one of two punters invited to play at the 2024 Senior Bowl, and the second Texas Tech punter all-time.

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, McNamara was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 7.

New York Jets On March 14, 2025, McNamara signed with the New York Jets. He threw for three yards on December 28, to get a first down against the New England Patriots.

NFL career statistics

Regular season Year Team GP Punting Punts Yds Lng Avg Blk Ins20 RetY2025 NYJ 17 71 3,317 72 46.7 0 32 133 Career 17 71 3,317 72 46.7 0 32 133