Countdown To Kickoff - 2024 New Orleans Saints

Sources of information: NFL.Com. Wikipedia.Org. OverTheCap.Com


August 24th, 2024 - Lou Hedley - Number 15

Countdown to Kickoff: Lou Hedley is the Saints Player of Day 15​


Just 15 days stand between now and the kickoff the 2024 NFL season for the New Orleans Saints.

Hedley has changed his number from 39, which he wore in 2023, to 15, which he hopes to wear as the Saints punter in 2024.

Here’s a look into everything to know about the player who currently dons No. 15 for the Saints:

Hedley grew up in Mandurah, Western Australia and originally played Australian Rules Football. He started playing juniors with the Mandurah Mustangs in the Peel Football League before 5 sesaons with the South Mandurah Falcons in the Metro Football League where he was a premiership player. He played senior football in 2013 with Peel Thunder for a season in the West Australian Football League though he did not break into the senior side. Known for his long kicking he was invited to join the ProKick Australia during that season aiming for a potential American football career.

Hedley played one season of college football at City College of San Francisco in 2017, where he averaged 38.6 yards per punt.

On February 5th, 2019, Hedley officially signed with the Miami Hurricanes. Hedley played 4 years at Miami. During the 2020 season Hedley averaged 47.2 yards per punt. He was named 2nd team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and he was named one of the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award. He was again named 2nd team All ACC in 2021 and again a finalist for the Ray Guy Award. In 2022 Hedley was named 1st team All-ACC and was named as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award. He was also named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.

After the 2022 season, Hedley announced he would forgo his last season of eligibility with Miami to declare for the NFL draft.

After not being selected in the 2023 NFL draft, Hedley signed with the New Orleans Saints as an Undrafted Free Agent. On August 29th, 2023, he made the Saints initial 53-man roster. He finished his rookie season with the Saints with 75 punts for 3,224 yards, averaging 42.99 yards per punt.

Hedley has been a camp battle with fellow Australian punter Matthew Hayball, a rookie out of Vanderbilt, for the punting job in 2024.

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