The Bears reached back into Australia for their third Aussie kicker in the past 16 years, garnering a commitment from 22-year old Aussie Rules Football kicker Jamieson Sheahan on Monday.
Sheahan visited Cal late in the season on an official visit and felt an instant connection with the program.
“The connection I had with Coach Ragle, Coach Wilcox and the entire recruiting team on the official visit was a major factor, “ said Sheahan of his Cal commitment. “Also how strong the school is academically. They made me feel at home and I’m excited for what the program can do going forward.”
Sheahan didn’t come into kicking the conventional way, starting out in Aussie Rules football from a young age but his experience in American Football’s sister sport made the Bears’ latest commit more than comfortable with the kicking game.
“I played Aussie Rules Football for Essendon in the VFL in Australia, which is similar to college standard but in Australia,” said Sheahan. “I’ve been kicking an oval-shaped ball since I could walk.
As for the transition to American Football punting, Sheahan’s been focused round the clock on making the transition a smooth one.
“I’ve been punting with ProKick Australia, honing my craft for over 12 months now to prepare me for college,” noted Sheahan.
What can Cal fans expect in terms of leg strength from Sheahan?
“We do measure hang time and distance during every session but it is not collated at the end of the session,” said Sheahan.
“On average, I would hope to kick 4.5 seconds hang-time balls and can kick anywhere between 40-50 yard Aussie drop punts and 40-60 yard traditional spirals.
“I believe because we grow up kicking balls that we can do it in many different scenarios. For example, on the run, accurate and high. We practice many types of different punts, not just spirals.”
Cal’s senior punter Stephen Coutts is also a fellow Aussie and he earned an assist in Sheahan’s commitment.
“Coutts and I have met and he has helped me get ready to come to Cal,” noted Sheahan. “He has been very helpful.”
Sheahan will come in as a spring enrollee junior in what’s expected to big a large early enrollee class this year.
Sheahan’s commitment brings the Bears number of commits up to 25 -two shy of their 27 max.
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