After speed dating, puzzles and doubters Arryn Siposs is ready for his NFL moment
Arryn Siposs sat stone-faced, listening intently, before breaking into laughter. He had done well to conceal his disdain up until this point. Moments earlier, I had reminded him about public doubts over his length strength. American media had queried the value of a punter who averaged just 43.8 yards per game — ranked 35th in all of college football.
How could he produce at the next level? There would be more pressure. More room for error and less time post-snap. His grin said it all. The critiques held no weight with the ex-AFL footballer who surprised NFL teams — many of whom held similar reservations — during a very promising display at the NFL Combine in February.
“It’s very funny,” Siposs remarked with a smile as he relaxed back onto his couch in Auburn, Alabama. “It is very funny,” he said again. This was something he had heard before yet he embraced it, welcomed it in fact.
“I just think people look at my stats and think I don’t really have the leg strength because I’m kicking a drop punt the majority of the time."
The reality is Siposs didn’t choose to kick an end-over-end punt, ever since he arrived in The Plains he had wanted to add the spiral to his on-field repertoire.
On several occasions, he approached Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzahn but it fell on deaf ears. Auburn struggled with punt coverage during last season — at one point ranked last in the nation — ensuring the spiral was never a realistic possibility. It frustrated Siposs but a surprise invite to the NFL Combine proved his golden ticket.
It was just after 7pm on Tuesday, February 25 in downtown Indianapolis. For the first time in many years Siposs was partaking in a date. Only this time it wasn’t with wife Rachael, nor just one other person. This was NFL “speed dating," combine style.
Eight tables were set out inside Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. Each contained several special teams coaches. All 32 NFL teams were represented — whether they were interested or otherwise. Some coaches sat mute, no different to a person disinterested on a miserly first date. Though this time, there were no bathroom windows for an early escape.
“Every 15 minutes you’d move around to a different table,” Siposs exclusively told Patrick Djordjevic.
“Even if they didn’t want a punter, you’d have to go around. Some coaches asked all the questions and there were some who asked nothing at all.”
Denver were intrigued, so too Baltimore, whereas San Francisco sat idle, comfortable with the performances of fellow Aussie Mitch Wishnowsky during his rookie season.
Yet there was one thing on every coaches' lips.
“I got asked the same question over and over again. ‘Can you hit a spiral?” Siposs’ answer? “Well, that’s what I’m here to show you guys!”
It was 11.45am, three days after speed dating, when Siposs took to the gridiron. Just 12 balls stood between he and vindication. 15 total kicks were set out, three pooch punts — a short kick, usually end-over-end, which eliminates the threat of a big return, and a dozen spirals.
Siposs’ draft hopes were pinned upon the spiral — ironically the lesser used variety in the NFL. Six had to be kicked as high and far as possible, then three directionally left, before three to the right.
Nerves ran throughout Siposs’ body, his mind struggled to stay in the moment as he waited for his chance. This of course was fleeting, until he customarily brought himself back to neutrality.
“I said to myself ‘you’ve done this so many times, you’ve played in front of 90,000 people and been able to execute, so why’s it any different here. Just go back and draw on what you’ve learnt,’ that put me in the best position to succeed.”
And succeed he did. The first spiral was hit with venom, measuring 53 yards long with a hang time of 5.12 seconds. In other words, a near perfect punt. The kick wasn’t merely a fantastic advertisement of talent, it meant more. It was a potent rebuke.
“That was a bit of an F you to everyone who doubted that I was unable to kick a spiral,” Siposs said with a wry smile.
“To have coaches questioning you at the time then coming up and saying ‘well done, you’ve obviously been working on it,’ that was great to see.”
Despite the underwhelming statistical season, Siposs’ best performances came against college football’s best. On the road against eventual national champion LSU, Siposs produced a career game — in front of 102,160 no less. He punted a career-high 10 times with just two of those returned, totalling seven yards.
Many remember Siposs’ part in November’s Iron Bowl against fierce rival Alabama, where Nick Saban’s team were famously penalised for having 12 men on the field on the final play. However, NFL personnel paid closer attention to the Aussie’s performance against Jaylen Waddle — the country’s best return specialist. The All-SEC sophomore sensation gashed Auburn on a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown, but failed to get the better of Siposs that day.
Waddle and Alabama did not have a single punt return yard, ensuring their offence was hampered before even stepping onto the field. Both of Siposs’ punts landed inside the 20-yard line, meaning the opposition had to cover at least 80 yards to score a touchdown.
That was a simpler time. Now, the world -- including the NFL -- has been thrown into chaos. Countless prospects have been unable to physically showcase their talents as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Siposs has also embraced the virtual world, producing film for wanting NFL teams, his wife Rachael playing the role of camerawoman.
Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets are amongst a host of teams who have shown interest in Siposs, but the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons — where fellow Australian punter Sam Irwin-Hill is contracted — are the front-runners as we speak. They have both told Siposs he is a strong chance to be drafted in the later rounds. However the Aussie is philosophical, aware of how little weight such comments hold.
“I really have no idea how everything is going to pan out. I’ve got no idea. Obviously it’s really nice having two teams contacting you regularly but you never really know.
“If it doesn’t work out in the draft, then I am confident one of those teams -- if not both -- will definitely approach me to be a part of their group. I certainly feel very confident and comfortable that I will get an opportunity, no matter what happens.”
It is almost certain Siposs’ name will not be read out on the first two days of the 2020 NFL Draft, his most likely opportunity will come on Sunday in rounds four-seven. Despite that moment being four days away, the Victorian is already anxious.
“There’s definitely a few nerves starting to settle in,” he said. “It’s obviously not knowing exactly what’s going to happen which brings it on. Obviously you want to get drafted but the reality is it may not happen, and you have to be prepared for that. I trust that I’ve put in the work to make sure I’m ready to go."
For now Siposs is practicing his golf swing at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Auburn. When he’s not on the course, Siposs is cooking up his specialty; spaghetti bolognese. Sometimes, even furthering his newfound interest in puzzles.
It is not known what Siposs’ immediate future holds but one thing is certain. When the opportunity arises, he will be a missing piece in the NFL’s punting puzzle.