New York Giants undrafted free agent kicker Jude McAtamney shares his journey from Gaelic football to Division II, a stop in Australia and then Rutgers. (1:43)
The NFL‘s international avenues have been one of the stories of this draft cycle, with players selected from countries around the world and picks made by fans spanning even greater distances.
But traveling from County Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, to North Carolina, with a stop in Australia, on to Rutgers University then the New York Giants is a new one, even in this age of the global NFL.
That’s the path taken by Ireland’s Jude McAtamney, an Ulster Under-20 Gaelic football champion with Derry in 2018, who initially made the plunge into American football after seeing a compatriot commit to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2020.
“Funny enough an Irish guy, David Shanahan, committed to Georgia Tech… and kicking was kind of in the back of my mind at that point, but I couldn’t see the process; I didn’t see the path,” McAtamney told ESPN.
“As soon as he committed, I messaged him, like, right away and said, ‘Look, wherever you got this through, I’d love to do it, and whatever it takes, I’ll do it,'” he said.
“He referred me on to Prokick [Australia] straight away, and then I kind of did a FaceTime tryout with them, and thankfully, it went well. Unfortunately, right at that time, it was [during] COVID so I couldn’t actually fly out to Australia. I couldn’t do anything.”
The solution was for Prokick Australia head coaches Nathan Chapman and John Smith to line up an opportunity with Division II Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, for the 2021 season, with a chance to reevaluate after his first year of college football during a trip Down Under.
“Leading up to 2022 I was lucky enough to get down there and train with them because obviously you learn much more in person, just being part of the lads going through that process in Prokick.
“It was awesome,” he said. “I tell everyone it’s one of the best months I’ve had in terms of weather, having fun with the boys … going to the beach on the weekend; you don’t have to wake up in the morning and wonder if it’s sunny today.”
From the Australian coastline back to the frostier Northeast U.S., McAtamney committed to Rutgers after his lone season in North Carolina. It was a step up in competition, and the magnitude of a Division I program was immediately apparent.
“The biggest thing that took me by surprise was just how huge college sports was here,” he said. “Obviously I knew, like, it was big, but you just can’t understand how big it is until you get out here, being a part of Rutgers football. It’s all go, it’s all professional, you have a big responsibility and you have to live up to that.”
After two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the latter as more of a kickoff specialist after losing the starting place-kicking job, McAtamney had the opportunity to showcase his talents at the Rutgers pro day; without any team visits lined up, he had to make the opportunity count in front of NFL scouts.
“At the pro day, I was probably more nervous than [at] the local Giants’ day,” he said. “At that point, I had no workouts, I’d got no invites. So if I didn’t perform that day then you get nothing. So I had to put it all out there and just go for it, and thankfully it worked out.
“I went 17-of-20. I think I probably kicked 85% of my best … so I’d take it but also I felt like I left some on the table, too. But thankfully it was enough to get an invite with the Giants.
“I told myself once I’m there,” he said, “it might be the last time I’m ever there so I just had to let it rip and show them what I could do. … We had 10 live kicks and I went 10-for-10.”
Former Gaelic footballer and New York Giants rookie kicker Jude McAtamney reflects on his pro day performance, a 10-for-10 trial and a long draft day wait.
Performing in direct competition with other prospects at the Giants’ local pro day worked in his favor, and McAtamney felt the affinity with the franchise grow after a strong kickoff workout.
“I had a short conversation with the coaches and that just went really well,” he said. “The whole feeling of being with the Giants was all very positive, I felt at home straight away. Funny enough, I remember driving home away from the Giants that day thinking that if there was a team I’d want to play for it would be them.”
No promises were made, but the Giants stayed in contact with the Rutgers product throughout the process, making him “feel welcome,” especially with the overseas-born talent already on their special teams depth chart in veterans Graham Gano and Jamie Gillan.
“The coaches on the day were laughing, saying, ‘We actually have two Scottish guys in the special teams room,'” he said. “If I was going to come there it would be a very interesting room of lads, a bunch of foreigners in the one room.”
For special teams prospects, though, the reality of the NFL draft is that the third and final day comprising rounds 4 through 7 are the earliest they’ll hear their name called — with most having to wait until after the final pick is in, and then enter the open market of undrafted free agency.
“I couldn’t sleep the night before really at all,” McAtamney said. “I was trying to hang out with my mates as much as I could just to distract myself and do different things. You think this day is taking forever and you look at your phone and it’s only noon, and you’re, like, geez, you hope the process would speed up a bit.
“But throughout that day the Giants were in contact,” he said, “and other teams were in contact as well, so it felt like there was a bit of momentum building. Thankfully, they came around at like six or seven o’clock that evening. We knew that the opportunity with the Giants was there.
“Once I got the call it was just like a big relief more than anything. Just to get it because of the experience I had with them. If I was to choose a team it would be them.
“Honestly, as soon as we verbally agreed… I felt like I could go to bed, I was completely exhausted,” he said. “It was just the whole day, just the weight lifted off your shoulders.”
Through the drama of the pre-draft process to now setting his expectations as he prepares for rookie minicamp, McAtamney says he’s focused on maintaining the same process and routine, looking to get comfortable in his new surroundings, and appreciating each day as it comes, knowing how quickly things can change with no guarantees in the NFL.
But the impact of a busy offseason isn’t lost on the Swatragh native, who becomes the second Irish kicker signed to an NFL team over the past month alongside International Player Pathway kicker Charlie Smyth (New Orleans Saints).
“Obviously, it’s very positive, it’s great for American football in Ireland, it’s great for promoting the game back home,” McAtamney said.
“I think there’s obviously a market there because there’s great free-takers all around the country… the attention at home is definitely growing.”
As for advice he’d pass on for any prospective kickers or punters wanting to follow in his footsteps, the newly signed Giant says the risk, hard work and sacrifice is worthwhile.
“If anyone at home has an itch to do it, and they think they’re good enough, do it,” he said. “Obviously, if you have a big enough love for it, 100 percent go for it and expect it to be tough.
“Moving away from home, being in different environment than a Gaelic environment … people at home wouldn’t realize how tough it actually is, even just mentally. So I would say for anyone willing to do it, it’s no easy thing to do, but if you feel you’re good enough, go for it. Have no regrets … and try [to] enjoy it as much as possible.”
And for those taking his particular route with a detour to Australia and the Prokick academy, a few wise words for dealing with the friendly chatter of the locals?
“Just keep your head down. Don’t make yourself stand out too much; you’ll soon get called out for being cocky,” McAtamney said, laughing.
“Be humble, work hard, and the coaches will see that. You don’t have to tell them how good you are, do your talking on the field and that’ll prove everyone.”
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