Growing up in Busselton, Australia, Damon Greaves never imagined a career in American football.
“A dream of every Australian is to play (Australian rules) footy, so I was lucky enough to do that,” Greaves said this week as he prepares for his first season as the Colorado Buffaloes’ punter.
Drafted as an 18-year-old, Greaves lived the dream with three years in the AFL. Then came a change he didn’t expect.
“The nature of the beast being at the professional level, I was cut,” he said.
That disappointment led him to Prokick Australia, which has developed numerous kickers and punters in American football in recent years. That list includes former CU kicker James Stefanou and former Buffs punters Josh Watts and Mark Vassett.
Greaves’ talent led to an opportunity at Kansas, where he punted for two seasons. But, this past winter, he saw an opportunity in Boulder he couldn’t pass up.
“I think the main thing for me was just the scheme we run here (at CU),” Greaves said. “It’s obviously the pro-style scheme, so for my aspirations to make the next level, that really sort of puts me in a good position to reach that and get a lot of good reps and good film with that sort of scheme.”
Vassett, CU’s punter the last two years, turned his time at CU into an opportunity with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Greaves hopes to follow in the footsteps of his good friend, and knows shining at CU could open doors.
“For me, (the offseason) is obviously focusing on my punting and my technique and how I’m hitting them, learning off (Vassett),” he said. “But, a lot of it has been different schemes, sort of different calls.”
Vassett was nicknamed “Mate” by head coach Deion Sanders. Greaves has been dubbed “New Mate,” and he’s already making an impression on the Buffs.
“He’s got outstanding location,” special teams coordinator Michael Pollock said. “He kicks it right where I tell him to kick it, and then, of course, he’s got a great leg to get the distance on it, but his location is really good.
“And he brings a lot of leadership to the team, and to the room. He brings experience. He’s got game day experience in the Big 12. He understands what it’s all about. And he’s just a great guy to be around. … So yeah, he’s bringing a lot to us.”
Coach speak
Tight ends coach Brett Bartolone played receiver at Washington State and got his start in coaching with the Cougars. During that time, Wazzu was coached by Mike Leach, one of the most colorful characters in college football history.
Now that he’s a coach, Bartolone said he finds himself quoting the late Leach when he talks to his players.
“Every once in a while, it’ll pop up,” Bartolone said with a laugh as he talked of Leach memories. “But they’re really good quotes and there’s a reason why not just myself, but other people, they’ll use those quotes, or those coaching points.”
Hawkins a key
While the punter and kicker get the most attention in special teams, long snapper Kameron Hawkins coming back for a second year in Boulder is a key aspect of the unit, as well.
“We run a pro-style punt, so our long snapper is involved in the protection,” Pollock said. “A lot of colleges run a shield punt, and the long snapper doesn’t really have to protect.
“Kam played 13 games for us last year, did a great job. He hasn’t had a bad snap, hasn’t had any protection issues. So we’re really excited about him coming back, and the leadership he brings.”
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