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Purdue punter Jack McCallister's silver cleats have produced golden results

On3 imageby: Tom Dienhart09/17/25TomDienhart1
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You can’t help but notice Jack McCallister’s cleats when he jogs onto the field to punt.

They’re silver.

“Just the cleats I like, the material with them,” said McCallister. “They didn’t make them in black. So, that’s all the story that there is there. … Our equipment guys hooked me up.”

McCallister and his leather silver kicks have been a big story thus far in 2025. In fact, an argument could be made that the Purdue punter has been the early season team MVP.

How good has McCallister been? He paces the Big Ten and ranks second in the nation with a 52.3-yard average, punting six times and pinning the opponent inside the 20-yard line five times.

“I put a lot of work in over the offseason,” said McCallister. “It’s kinda nice to see some of it pay off.”

His 68-yard boomer last week was the longest in the nation, as well as his season-long.

“I got a nice roll on that one,” fessed McCallister, who worked with various punting coaches in the offseason.

As a result of his thunder leg, McCallister was honored by the Ray Guy Award “Ray’s 8” this week, the second time he has earned that distinction after also being honored after the opener vs. Ball State. (He didn’t punt vs. Southern Illinois.)

Purdue can thank Nebraska for the gift of McCallister. He had transferred from Washington to Nebraska after the 2024 season. But then, a twist of fate changed everything.

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During spring football, Huskers coach Matt Rhule changed special teams coaches. And the new hire wanted a punter who could boot the ball Australian style. That wasn’t McCallister’s technique. So, he packed his bags and headed to Purdue for his final season.

“I left because of the change in scheme,” said McCallister. “They want to do more of an Australian rollout rugby style-punt, and I’m more of a traditional pocket punter. So, Coach (James) Shibest, he’s been doing it a long time. He’s a very traditional guy. So, he runs that traditional pocket punt scheme. That’s what I do.”

Purdue special teams analyst Tony Thompson was a conduit to McCallister’s move east.

“He knows one of the coaches there,” said McCallister. “So, they all kind of know each other.”

Not only does McCallister bring a strong leg, but he also brings experience: He was Washington’s primary punter the previous three seasons and punted in the 2023 national championship game. With the Huskies, McCallister averaged 42 yards on 110 punts with his best season coming in 2024: 43.0-yard average on 42 punts.

“I’ve been doing it a few years,” he said. “Definitely gives me some confidence, especially being the older guy in the room with a lot of younger guys. I can kind of use my experiences, kind of help them. … So just kind of being able to help those guys along.”

A native of Edmonds, Wash., a Seattle suburb, McCallister will return to Washington to face his former team on Nov. 15.

“That’ll be cool going back home,” he said. “That’ll be a game I’m looking forward to, for sure.”

Until then, McCallister has work to do. Purdue already has one Ray Guy Award winner: Travis Dorsch in 2001. Could McCallister be the next?

“It was definitely a kind of crazy ride (to Purdue), a little bit unexpected, for sure,” said McCallister. “But just kind of my path. That’s why I’m glad I’m here. … “

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