Australian Punter Wilson Berry's Journey to Kentucky Began 13 Years Ago

(Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Wilson Berry did not get exactly what you would call a “warm welcome” when he arrived in Lexington this spring to begin his Kentucky football career.

“I got off the plane and it was snowing,” the Australian punter laughed on the Behind Kentucky Football Podcast. “I hope that’s not the norm.”

Fortunately, that was not his first impression of Central Kentucky. Unlike almost every other former Australian Rules Football player that took their talents to the American collegiate level, Berry previously visited the University of Kentucky’s campus. It was not a recruiting visit. He was in town three years ago for his brother’s wedding.

“I thought to myself, ‘Wow this is a really nice place.’ But it never even struck me that I might go there one day.”

Wilson can thank his elder brother, Jordan, for bringing him to the Bluegrass. The Pittsburgh Steelers punter is entering his seventh NFL season after competing collegiately for Dean Hood at Eastern Kentucky from 2010-13. The Berry brothers’ path to American football started years before, thanks to one kicking competition.

“It started a long time ago actually, probably back in 2007, 2008. My older brother wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do with himself. He did like a longest kick competition back in Australia. Two guys in the crowd, Nathan Chapman and John Smith, were starting a company called Pro Kick Australia. They saw the talent in Australia and thought that they could use that talent and transport it over here to America and sort of take over the punting world I guess,” said the younger Berry brother.

“Pro Kick Australia was just a small group back then. Once my time in Australian Rules Football came to a head, I gave them a call straight away. The process with them is quite easy. Once you sign with them, you’re dreaming. Schools come looking for you once you join Pro Kick Australia. They do anything for you, from coaching, all the way up through to helping you get recruited. It’s quite an honor to be a part of that group.”

Mark Stoops hired Hood to be the Wildcats’ special teams coordinator in 2017, bringing the Australian pipeline to Lexington that produced Max Duffy, the best punter in school history. Berry has awfully big shoes to feel, but the pressure is nothing new. After all, his brother set a high long ago. It’s not the only way Jordan has helped Wilson.

“It’s made the transition quite easy. He actually lives here in Lexington with his wife. We’re still able to catch up very often during the week. He’s been a huge part of obviously my punting career and helping me settle in. I can’t thank him enough. Coming from Eastern Kentucky, he wasn’t too pumped I was coming to UK, but I’m slowly turning everything in his closet blue.”

There are still a few kinks Berry is working out. His next door neighbor in the locker room is Josaih Hayes, a second-year defensive lineman that speaks with a thick Mississippi accent.

“I think we always need a third guy in there to translate for us,” Berry laughed.

While the Aussie figures out how to speak Mississippi, he’s spending the spring searching for the sweet spot on American footballs to make sure Max Duffy’s big boot will not be missed too much this fall.

“It’s just about getting the reps in and getting used to a different sized ball and different weight. You know, our laces aren’t as big as yours. It’s definitely not as pointy. Finding the sweet spots is a bit different, so that’s what we do, just spend time finding that different spot.”

[Behind Kentucky Football]