Max Fletcher's 9000+ Mile Path to Becoming Razorback

Now in his second year, punter from Australia finally shows full potential

Author:
Daniel Shi
Updated:
Oct 18, 2023 11:38 AM EDT
Original:
Oct 17, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE Ark. — Melbourne, Australia. is about as different from around here as it could possibly be. Punter Max Fletcher was coming into his American experience with no experience and admitted he wasn't prepared.

"I didn’t really know what Arkansas was," Fletcher said. "I’m not going to lie. I had to search it up, obviously saw the stadium and it was pretty cool, but that’s probably the biggest change for me."

In his second year here, the Melbourne native has slowly molded into a secret weapon of sorts for special teams coach Scott Fountain and the Razorbacks. Fletcher ranks fifth in the nation with 48.5 yards per punt and has a long of 70 yards on the season.

The Hogs have needed every bit of Fletcher's newfound accuracy and powerful leg. With the offense struggling to find a consistent rhythm. Fletcher has 33 punts in seven games, tied for 12th most in the country. Fletcher credits the coaching staff for having his back through thick and thin.

"Coach (Sam) Pittman has changed my life," Fletcher said. "Just having that confidence, I think that’s a big thing for me. Being confident on the field and knowing that coach Pittman is in my corner and wanting me to do good ... Coach Pittman and same as Coach Fountain. I want to put my team in the best position to win the game and I want to keep on doing that this year."

Nothing better illustrates the relationship between the fourth-year head coach and Fletcher than an interaction they had at practice after Fletcher shanked two punts against BYU.

"Fletcher was at practice at Monday," Pittman said in September. "He’s lower than low. I walk by him, I become that counselor at times. I walk by him, I say ‘Hey Max, what’s wrong with you? ‘Social media.’ I ain’t going to tell you everything I said, but I said ‘Well, what are they saying Max?’ (Max says back) ‘Went to Australia to get a 10-yard punter.’ You know, and all this kind of stuff. ‘Why’d you go all that way to get a guy that can’t kick?’ I said, ‘Max, they didn’t say I’m fat on there did they?’ He said, ‘Yes sir.’ ‘What about my chest, did they say anything about that?’ He started smiling, he said ‘Yes sir.’ I said, ‘Was I supposed to get fired on Sunday?’ He said, ‘Yes sir.'"

Since those two shanks, an argument can be made that Fletcher has been the best punter in the country. In the four games since BYU, Fletcher has 19 punts for 981 yards, a 51.63 average. On top of his punting prowess, the world also got to see Fletcher pull off a successful fake punt against LSU. In the most recent game, four of Fletcher's seven punts against Alabama pinned the Tide inside the 20. Pittman made sure to be there for his punter in his best moments, just like in Fletcher's lowest moments.

"I told him on the sideline coming off," Pittman said after the Alabama game. "I said, 'You're the reason we're in this game. You're the reason this happened. You're the reason …' I mean, it is. He flipped the field and, man, wasn't he good? He was."

Fletcher is slowly getting used to the American way of life, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still need time to acclimate to the oddities and differences between Arkansas and Australia.

"There’s a lot of fast food I must admit," Fletcher said. "But, I’m into fast food. It’s just so much — the meals are very, I ask for a small drink and it’s like this big (gestures with hands). That’s good for me, I need to gain weight."

The Razorbacks are hoping they don't need Fletcher much as the offense and the team try to snap a five-game skid against Mississippi State 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and fuboTV .