LINCOLN, Neb. — When he stepped in entrance of a horde of media Tuesday, Archie Wilson had already gained over everybody of significance contained in the Nebraska soccer complicated.
Matt Rhule possible has not talked a few true freshman with such reverence in 10 seasons as a school head coach. Wilson punts with each ft. He can run. He can throw. He can sing, as Rhule detailed in explaining that Wilson “crushed” a rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” in entrance of your complete staff throughout camp this month.
Wilson has by no means really performed in a soccer sport. The 19-year-old Australian has spent all of two months at Nebraska, however he is aware of the identify of each teammate.
“It’s a multifaceted factor,” Rhule mentioned final week. “He’s one of many coolest dudes round. He’s acquired a lot juice … He’s simply, like, probably the most fascinating man on this planet.”
The general public met Wilson on Tuesday. He’s a captivating lad with a giant smile, a fast wit and, apparently, nerves of metal. As Wilson prepares to take the reins at punter for the Huskers’ season opener in opposition to Cincinnati on Aug. 28 in Kansas Metropolis, he’s unfazed.
“Big crowd, Arrowhead, Thursday night time, it doesn’t get a lot larger,” Wilson mentioned. “I’m excited to get on the market. I imply, ideally, I don’t should punt a lot. But when they do want me on the sphere, I’m actually excited to go on the market and kick some.”
Wilson informed the media he was turning 19 on Wednesday. Then, requested concerning the half-a-world separation from his household, he melted right into a pile of tears.
WHOLESOME 🥹@HuskerFootball’s punter Archie Wilson grew to become emotional when requested about being away from his household in Australia ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Jtk3RsCF5p
— FOX Faculty Soccer (@CFBONFOX) August 12, 2025
Tens of millions watched the clip, which was even featured on the “Right now” present on Wednesday. In 30 seconds, Wilson morphed from a feel-good camp storyline a few freshman who has turned heads at Nebraska — one or two exist each August — into the illustration of innocence sacrificed on the altar of main American sports activities.
To make certain, Wilson wished this.
“They know that is what’s finest for me,” he mentioned of his mom, father and two youthful brothers, who dwell exterior of Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay, close to the southern tip of Australia.
Wilson educated and performed Australian Guidelines soccer at Haileyburg, the prep faculty that produced Chicago Bears punter Tory Taylor, a former Ray Man Award winner at Iowa and the FBS record-holder for punting common in a profession.
Wilson adopted within the footsteps of dozens of punters who went from Prokick Australia, a punting and kicking academy, to the FBS ranks. A sampling of the Aussies on the prime of their area right this moment contains Taylor, Cameron Johnston of the Pittsburgh Steelers (previously Ohio State) and Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks (previously Texas).
Particular groups coordinator Mike Ekeler will get credit score for bringing Wilson to Lincoln this summer time from Prokick. Earlier than Ekeler left Tennessee in February, he recognized Wilson because the punting substitute for the Vols’ two-year starter Jackson Ross, a junior this season in Knoxville.
“Completely, positively, the whole lot about (Wilson) was what I used to be searching for,” Ekeler mentioned.
This spring, when Ekeler bought Rhule on the concept to shift Nebraska’s punting scheme to a rugby model, the Huskers parted methods with Washington switch Jack McCallister. Not lengthy after, John Smith, head coach at Prokick in Melbourne, approached Wilson one morning and informed him, in response to the punter, “Hey Archie, you’re going to Nebraska.”
“I used to be like, ‘Cool,’” Wilson mentioned.
Wilson deepened his research on school soccer. He discovered about Lincoln and about Memorial Stadium and the Huskers’ soccer historical past.
When Wilson and his dad and mom arrived right here in late Could for a go to to substantiate his enrollment, Brett Maher picked them up on the airport. Maher joined Rhule’s workers as a particular groups assistant final yr after his 5 seasons within the NFL. He was a two-time Large Ten kicker of the yr for the Huskers and the Large Ten punter of the yr in 2012.
Maher eased the transition for Wilson. Nebraska put him via drills in June coaching actions. This week in camp, Wilson confronted a dwell rush for the primary time.
“All he is aware of is punting,” Nebraska broad receiver Jacory Barney Jr. mentioned. “So I really like him.”
Wilson punts naturally along with his left foot. When he sustained a minor damage just a few years in the past, he tried his proper foot within the Australian sport. It labored. He might punt historically or roll out in both route this season. The spin that he can placed on a kick mesmerizes Rhule.
“I might watch Archie punt all day,” Rhule mentioned. “I’ve by no means seen something prefer it. It’s like watching a YouTube brief. The man’s superb at what he does.”
Ekeler predicts that Wilson will function a “weapon” for Nebraska this season.
“Each punt he hits isn’t going to be a 55-, 60-yarder,” Ekeler mentioned. “He’ll mis-hit one. And when he does, I’ll take it. However I’m telling you, while you lookup on the finish of the yr on the physique of labor, you’re going to go, ‘Holy cow, this man’s the true deal.’”
Inefficiency on particular groups contributed to 5 shut losses and almost value the Huskers in three of their seven victories final season.
Wilson mentioned he’s able to play a giant function however that he doesn’t mannequin his model after any of the Australian punters who blazed a path for him.
“I see a number of different individuals doing comparable issues,” he mentioned, “however I wished to create my very own path and do it for myself.”
As for the heart-wrenching household dynamic, it’s the one a part of this expertise for which Wilson couldn’t put together.
His vulnerability confirmed a human aspect that most likely gained over hundreds of latest followers. Nebraska followers predictably jumped to help Wilson.
Welcome to the Husker household, Archie ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DxzdfHKh7d
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) August 12, 2025
Full disclosure, I requested the query about Wilson’s household, by no means anticipating such an emotional reply. When his smile light and Wilson’s head dropped, my curiosity turned to rapid remorse. In two days, I’ll drop my oldest little one in school for the beginning of a journey a lot nearer to house than his. However I perceive the ache.
5 minutes after Wilson left the rostrum Tuesday, the juice was again. He smiled via extra interviews. Wilson’s dad and mom, by the best way, will see him quickly. They’re scheduled to attend the opener in two weeks and keep for 3 September video games in Lincoln.
Entrance-row seats await to see if the Legend of Archie continues to develop.
(Picture: Mitch Sherman / The Athletic)
