Luke Larsen, Villanova Wildcats’ new punter, is one of the oldest players in college football, at age 33, writes Devin Jackson for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Australian kicker left his native country and a successful business to earn his degree. Now he’s pursuing his third degree and his sixth and final season of college football eligibility.
Luke Larsen was 26 and still in Melbourne, Australia, when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots play in Super Bowl LII in 2018.
A friend and former Eagles punter, Cameron Johnston, convinced him to train as a punter in the Australia Prokick program.
By 2019, he had a football scholarship to East Carolina University, where he stayed for five seasons, averaging 40.8 yards across 174 punts.
Now at Villanova, and with two college degrees under his belt, Larsen is working on his master of Public Administration degree. For Villanova’s season opener, Larsen punted five times for a 29.6-yard average.
Australia Prokick program cofounder John Smith thinks Larsen has a future in coaching.
“He could be a great coach now, special teams coach. He’d be tremendous. He’s very forceful, he’s very decent. He’s extremely intelligent, and he’s always got a plan,” Smith said.
Read more about Luke Larsen’s football career in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
