Vassett aims for NFL
from p64
Vassett said that captaining a senior side at just 19, gave him a big opportunity to further his leadership skills, which now, will translate onto the football field at Michigan State as a 24-year-old freshman.
“At Pro Kick we really get leadership drummed into us, so for me, captaining that side at a young age, I feel like I was able to get a head start in that category,” he said.
It’s been five years since Vassett stepped onto a school campus, but now, he’ll be heading back into the classroom as well. While football is focus for the freshman, getting a degree is also a big part of the journey after heading straight into it the workforce post Year 12.
“I didn’t really think I’d ever go to university, I just went straight into work so it’s all I’ve really known. It will be a little different to the normal,” he said.
After training with Prokick coaches’ John Smith and Nathan Chapman since July 2019, he received a call a week ago from John, asking if he liked Michigan State University.
“I got a call from John, who asked if I liked the sound of Michigan State University. Honestly, I didn’t know much about them, so I quickly did some research and found it looked amazing,” he said.
“That call was on Sunday, and the next day the special teams’ coach from the Michigan State team called me and we had a great chat, nothing was promised but it was a good chat. Then Wednesday, the offer came through to join the team, so it moved pretty quickly,” he said.
January will be the first time that Mark has travelled overseas, which he said he is extremely excited about.
“I’ve actually never been overseas,” he laughed. “So, the first one is a bit of a big one, I’m really excited, I’m sure the nerves will kick in a little as it gets closer, but excited for now,” he added.
Reporting to the university in January, Vassett will be able to acclimatise to his new setting for a few months before his rookie campaign begins in September 2021.
Vassett said that one thing he can’t wait to experience is the college crowds that flock to every home game, with Michigan’s home stadium holding 75,000 people.
“The thing that sticks in my mind is the crowds, I just can’t wait to feel the college atmosphere. We don’t really have that here in Australia. The stadium holds 75,000 people so to play there will be great,” he said.
While being offered a position is just the first step he doesn’t want to put a ceiling on the opportunity he has been given. Ultimately, he wants to make it to the NFL.
“Absolutely the goal is to make the NFL. I don’t want to limit myself to just college, I want to work as hard as possible to get my degree and make the NFL,” he said.
Australian punters have taken the collegiate system by storm in recent years, with six of the last seven Ray Guy award winners for the best college punter hailing from down under.
With another one on the way, Michigan State fans will be waiting in anticipation for the arrival of Mark Vassett in season 2021, hoping he can follow in the footsteps of fellow Aussie star punters Max Duffy and Dane Roy.