When it comes to college football, dedicated fans are keen to know everything about their favorite players. One common question that often arises is about the age of these athletes. If you’re asking “How Old Is Alex Smith,” you’ve come to the right place. This article delves into the age and background of Alex Smith, the talented punter for the Georgia Southern Eagles.
Born on September 10, 1999, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Alex Jacob Smith is currently 25 years old as of late 2024. This makes him a mature and experienced player on the Georgia Southern Eagles roster. His birthday places him firmly in the generation of athletes who grew up with digital technology, but his journey to American football is quite unique and spans continents and sports.
Alex Smith’s path to becoming a key player for Georgia Southern is an interesting one. Before making his mark in American football, Smith was a professional tennis player. Upon graduating from Caulfield Grammar School in 2017, he competed on the ATP Futures Tour. Growing up in Dubai, he honed his tennis skills before transitioning to punting.
The shift from professional tennis to college football punting is a testament to Smith’s athletic versatility and determination. When the COVID-19 pandemic impacted global sports, Alex Smith made a significant career pivot. He trained at ProKick Australia, a renowned club known for sending Australian punters to play college football in the United States. This training ground has produced notable punters like Cameron Johnston and Ray Guy Award winners Mitch Wishnowsky and Michael Dickson.
Smith’s dedication quickly paid off. By the Class of 2022, 247Sports recognized him as the No. 8-ranked punter nationally and the No. 5 punter in Australia. Initially committed to Vanderbilt in 2022, he eventually enrolled at Georgia Southern in January 2023.
Since joining the Georgia Southern Eagles, Alex Smith has consistently held the starting punter position for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. His performance has garnered significant recognition within the Sun Belt Conference. In the 2024 season, he earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors from Phil Steele, Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt accolades, and Third Team All-Sun Belt recognition from College Football Network.
In the 2024-25 season, Smith started all 13 games as punter, leading the Sun Belt Conference with a net average of 41.6 yards per punt. He averaged 42.7 yards across 58 punts, with an impressive long punt of 63 yards. Notably, he achieved a season without any touchbacks, a first for a Georgia Southern punter on record. His season highlights include averaging 50.7 yards per punt against South Carolina State and 46.4 yards against Marshall.
During the 2023-24 season, also starting in all 13 games, Smith averaged 40.04 yards per punt. He consistently demonstrated his ability to strategically place punts, with 18 downed inside the 20-yard line. He showcased his versatility by even executing an 18-yard run on a fake punt against Coastal Carolina.
Off the field, Alex Smith is pursuing a major in Management. He is the son of Rodney and Helene Smith and has a younger sister named Llara. His journey from Melbourne to Statesboro, Georgia, highlights his adaptability and commitment to excelling in new challenges.
In conclusion, Alex Smith, born on September 10, 1999, is a 25-year-old punter for the Georgia Southern Eagles as of late 2024. His age reflects his experience and maturity, contributing to his consistent performance on the field. From his beginnings in professional tennis to his current success in college football, Alex Smith’s story is one of athletic transition and achievement. He is undoubtedly a player to watch for Georgia Southern Eagles fans and those interested in following the careers of international athletes in American college football.
