Terps Add Aussie Kicker/Punter Craddock

Maryland added some international flair to their football roster, as Australian kicker/punter Brad Craddock has signed with the Terps, according to UMTerps. Craddock, from Adelaide, went to Tabor Christian College and played Aussie Rules football, soccer, tennis, and track during his time there.

Craddock joins a special teams unit that is starting to get a little crowded, with Nick Ferrara as the favorite for both spots, Michael Tart and Nate Renfro right behind him, and a walk-on rumored as well. He will be eligible to play immediately, and will have four years of eligibility.

Chris Sailer Kicking gives Craddock four and a half stars out of five, and calls him a "tremendous K/P talent". Aussie kickers have been around in college football for a while, but really came on to the scene last season with the emergence of Brad Wing at LSU. Tom Hornsey at Memphis is another current Australian punter, and their style lends to fake punts and long, end-over-end kicks.

Here's the statement from coach Edsall:

"Brad is an extremely talented kicker and punter with a very strong leg and excellent hang time and distance with his kicks," Edsall said in a news release. "We are excited that Brad has decided to come to the University of Maryland to continue his academic and athletic career. Having had experience with an Australian punter previously, I felt that Brad would be a great fit based on film and recommendations of our kicking and International contacts. We look forward to having Brad with us when our team reports to camp on August 5th."

That previous Australian punter would be Adam Coles, who played at UConn early in Edsall's time there.

Kicker/punter highlights time!

And I know it's on all of your minds, but I'm not sure if we'll have time for a Aussie Profile in Terpage. We'll have to see when we finish up.