Adam Korsak
{{Short description|Australian gridiron football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Adam Korsak
| image = 2024, 10, Adam Korsak.jpg
| caption = Korsak with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
| number = 10
| position = Punter
| current_team = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|10|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Melbourne, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 185
| high_school = Maribyrnong College (Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia)
| college = Rutgers (2018–2022)
| cfldraftyear = 2023G
| cfldraftround = 1
| cfldraftpick = 3
| pastteams =
- Saskatchewan Roughriders ({{CFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Active
| cflstatus = Global
| highlights =
- CFL West All-Star ({{CFL Year|2023}})
- Ray Guy Award (2022)
- First-team All-American (2022)
- Second-team All-American (2021)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2021)
- 3× Second-team All-Big Ten (2019, 2020, 2022)
; NCAA records
- Career punts (349)
- Career punting yards (15,318)
- Single season net punting average (45.3)
| statlabel1 =
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 =
| statvalue2 =
| pfr =
| cfl = adam-korsak/167895/
}}
Adam Korsak (born 31 October 1997) is an Australian gridiron football punter for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The all-time NCAA record-holder for career punts, punting yards and single-season net average, he was named the 2022 winner of the Ray Guy Award.
Early life
Korsak was born on 31 October 1997 in Melbourne, Victoria.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/adam-korsak|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=NFL Draft Profile: Adam Korsak, Punter, Rutgers Scarlet Knights|date=28 November 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421155923/https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/adam-korsak|url-status=live}} He grew up in the Melbourne suburb Maribyrnong and played cricket, Australian rules football and golf.{{Cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/1200478/2019/09/11/rutgers-iowa-adam-korsak-punting/|website=The Athletic|title=The story of Rutgers, Iowa and the year's most underrated punting performance|date=11 September 2019|author=Auerbach, Nick|url-access=subscription|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421155923/https://theathletic.com/1200478/2019/09/11/rutgers-iowa-adam-korsak-punting/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/college-football-2023-adam-korsak-ncaa-punting-records-broken-aussie-assassin-nfl-draft-will-pucovski-news-highlights/news-story/6173bb0a0d4ebb0a39ae3391c166eff4|publisher=Fox News|title=The 'Aussie Assassin' who shattered records on his way to the NFL draft|date=5 January 2023|author=Sargeant, Tom|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421155923/https://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/college-football-2023-adam-korsak-ncaa-punting-records-broken-aussie-assassin-nfl-draft-will-pucovski-news-highlights/news-story/6173bb0a0d4ebb0a39ae3391c166eff4|url-status=live}} He was a member of the Victorian under 15s cricket team and was teammates with Will Pucovski. Korsak attended Maribyrnong College and graduated as part of the class of 2015, after which he studied at the University of Melbourne for a year.{{Cite web|url=https://sportsacademy.maribsc.vic.edu.au/adam-korsak|publisher=Maribyrnong College|title=Adam Korsak|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421155924/https://sportsacademy.maribsc.vic.edu.au/adam-korsak|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/punt-god-adam-korsak-set-for-one-last-year-of-college-football|website=Rivals.com|title=Punt God Adam Korsak set for one last year of college football|date=13 April 2022|author=Nalwasky, Chris|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421155924/https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/punt-god-adam-korsak-set-for-one-last-year-of-college-football|url-status=live}}
In 2016, Korsak attended the Prokick Australia camp held by Nathan Chapman, and his performance there led to an athletic scholarship offer to play American football at Rutgers University in the U.S., which he accepted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.onthebanks.com/2017/7/12/15962726/commit-alert-australian-punter-adam-korsak-commits-to-rutgers-football|website=OnTheBanks.com|title=Commit Alert: Australian Punter Adam Korsak Commits to Rutgers Football|date=12 July 2017|author=Hoffman, Jim|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421155924/https://www.onthebanks.com/2017/7/12/15962726/commit-alert-australian-punter-adam-korsak-commits-to-rutgers-football|url-status=live}} Korsak had played Madden NFL 06, watched several Cleveland Browns games and the film Any Given Sunday to learn the rules of the sport.
College career
Korsak was given a two-star rating and placed as the seventh-best punter recruit in 247Sports' rankings.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/rutgers/Article/Rutgers-Postseason-Top-40-Player-Countdown-No1-Adam-Korsak-205349763/|website=247Sports|title=Rutgers Postseason Top 40 Player Countdown: No.1 Adam Korsak|date=26 February 2023|author=Deren, Bobby}} During his first year at Rutgers, he set the school record for longest punt with a kick of 79 yards.{{Cite news|url=https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/28/adam-korsak-to-represent-rutgers-football-at-the-nfl-combine/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Adam Korsak to represent Rutgers football at the NFL Combine|author=Cavallo, Michael|date=28 January 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421163046/https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/28/adam-korsak-to-represent-rutgers-football-at-the-nfl-combine/|url-status=live}} He started all 12 games that year, being named honorable mention all-conference while posting a team-record with a 40.1 net punt average.{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/sports/football/roster/adam-korsak/11557|publisher=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|title=Adam Korsak|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421161545/https://scarletknights.com/sports/football/roster/adam-korsak/11557|url-status=live}} Korsak totaled 78 punts on the year for 3,333 yards, with a gross average{{efn|A gross average is the average distance of how far a player's punt travels, whereas a net average is that number minus the yards they were returned.}} of 42.7 yards-per-punt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/adam-korsak-1.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|title=Adam Korsak College Stats|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421161543/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/adam-korsak-1.html|url-status=live}}
In 2019, Korsak thrice was named winner of the weekly Ray Guy Award for best punter nationally, additionally being a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award given to the best punter overall on the year.{{Cite news|url=https://dailytargum.com/article/2019/12/rutgers-football-conference-awards-feature-2019|newspaper=The Daily Targum|title=Rutgers captures Big Ten honors after conclusion of season|date=5 December 2019|author=Schmied, Jake|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421163611/https://dailytargum.com/article/2019/12/rutgers-football-conference-awards-feature-2019|url-status=live}} He appeared in every game and posted a total of 76 punts for 3,327 yards, having a long of 69 with only two touchbacks and 31 kicks inside the 20, while ranking first in the Big Ten Conference with a net average of 41.5.{{Cite web|url=https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/rutgers-football-p-adam-korsak-named-to-ray-guy-award-watchlist/|website=Rivals.com|title=Rutgers Football P Adam Korsak named to Ray Guy Award watchlist|date=22 July 2020|author=Schnyderite, Richard|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421163609/https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/rutgers-football-p-adam-korsak-named-to-ray-guy-award-watchlist/|url-status=live}} After the season, Korsak was named second-team all-conference by both the league's coaches and Associated Press (AP).{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2019/12/11/football-korsak-named-to-associated-press-all-big-ten-second-team|publisher=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|title=Korsak Named to Associated Press All-Big Ten Second Team|date=11 December 2019|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421163934/https://scarletknights.com/news/2019/12/11/football-korsak-named-to-associated-press-all-big-ten-second-team|url-status=live}}
Korsak appeared in all nine games during the 2020 season (which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic), posting 48 punts for 2,062 yards (a gross average of 43.0), including a long of 66 with no touchbacks and 21 inside the 20-yard line.{{Cite web|url=https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/rutgers-football-punter-adam-korsak-named-to-ray-guy-award-watchlist|website=Rivals.com|title=Rutgers Football punter Adam Korsak named to Ray Guy Award watchlist|date=28 July 2021|author=Schnyderite, Richard|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421165132/https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/rutgers-football-punter-adam-korsak-named-to-ray-guy-award-watchlist|url-status=live}} He had a net average of 42.3, placing ninth nationally in that category. He was named co-team captain with Isiah Pacheco starting in 2020, a rare achievement for a player at his position and a role he would serve in for the rest of his Rutgers tenure, and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches as well as second-team honors from the media and Phil Steele.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-p-adam-korsak-excited-214521786.html|website=Yahoo!|title=Rutgers P Adam Korsak excited by former teammate Isiah Pacheco's NFL success|date=2 March 2023|author=Easton Jr., Ed|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421165131/https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-p-adam-korsak-excited-214521786.html|url-status=live}}
In 2021, Korsak started all 13 games and set college football's all-time record with a 45.3 net average. He was named second-team All-American, first-team all-conference, a finalist for the Ray Guy Award and Rutgers' most valuable player after posting 72 kicks for 3,299 yards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/12/9/23501727/rutgers-football-adam-korsak-wins-ray-guy-award|website=OnTheBanks.com|title=Rutgers Football: Adam Korsak wins Ray Guy Award|author=Patuto, Greg|date=9 December 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=4 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204121429/https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/12/9/23501727/rutgers-football-adam-korsak-wins-ray-guy-award|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2021/12/adam-korsak-named-rutgers-2021-team-mvp-other-award-winners.html|website=NJ.com|title=Adam Korsak named Rutgers' 2021 team MVP; other award winners|date=13 December 2021|author=Kratch, James|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421171207/https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2021/12/adam-korsak-named-rutgers-2021-team-mvp-other-award-winners.html|url-status=live}} He was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week twice and Ray Guy Player of the Week twice, with 38 of his punts going inside the 20-yard line. After the season, he opted to return for a final year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2022/04/whats-left-for-korsacs-final-season-another-masters-and-more-punting-mastery.html|website=NJ.com|title=Leave Rutgers? Not yet. Scarlet Knights' biggest weapon decides to kick that can down the road|author=Lanni, Patrick|date=14 April 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421171206/https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2022/04/whats-left-for-korsacs-final-season-another-masters-and-more-punting-mastery.html|url-status=live}}
Korsak started all 12 games in 2022, recording 75 punts for 3,297 yards (for a gross average of 44.0), including 32 kicks landing inside the 20. He twice earned punter of the week honors, was named first-team All-American by The Sporting News, and despite being named only third-team All-Big Ten, was named the Ray Guy Award winner as the best punter nationally.{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2022/12/13/football-korsak-named-first-team-all-america-by-sporting-news.aspx|publisher=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|title=Korsak Named First Team All-America by Sporting News|date=13 December 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153613/https://scarletknights.com/news/2022/12/13/football-korsak-named-first-team-all-america-by-sporting-news.aspx|url-status=live}} He was the first first-team All-American at Rutgers since 2006, and by being Ray Guy Award winner became the only player at the school to ever win a national on-field award. His kicks were returned for -11 yards on the year, and in all but one game no positive returns were recorded against him. Against Penn State, he set the NCAA all-time record for career punting yards, and also finished his career as the all-time leader in punts, with 15,318 yards and 349 punts.{{Cite news|url=https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2022/11/20/watch-adam-korsak-sets-the-ncaa-record-for-most-punting-yards-in-a-career/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Watch: Adam Korsak sets the NCAA record for most punting yards in a career|author=Dyer, Kristian|date=20 November 2022|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421172607/https://rutgerswire.usatoday.com/2022/11/20/watch-adam-korsak-sets-the-ncaa-record-for-most-punting-yards-in-a-career/|url-status=live}} Korsak ended his stint at Rutgers having not a single punt blocked and a streak of 150 consecutive kicks without a touchback.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 7/8
| weight = 187
| arm span = 29 3/8
| hand span = 8 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/adam-korsak/32004b4f-5240-8997-26b3-3cf926ae18c7 |title=Adam Korsak Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506194316/https://www.nfl.com/prospects/adam-korsak/32004b4f-5240-8997-26b3-3cf926ae18c7 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1022678&DraftYear=2023 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Adam Korsak College Football Profile |access-date=6 May 2023 |website=DraftScout.com |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504184339/https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1022678&DraftYear=2023 |url-status=live }}
}}
Korsak was selected in the eighth round (61st overall) of the 2023 USFL draft by the New Jersey Generals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2023/02/nj-generals-of-usfl-draft-ex-rutgers-star.html|website=NJ.com|title=USFL's New Jersey Generals draft ex-Rutgers star|date=23 February 2023|author=Lanni, Patrick|access-date=1 May 2023|archive-date=1 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501143425/https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2023/02/nj-generals-of-usfl-draft-ex-rutgers-star.html|url-status=live}} He was also drafted in the first round (3rd overall) in the 2023 CFL Global Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.{{cite news|url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/riders-select-australian-punter-and-italian-lineman-in-2023-global-draft-1.6380332|publisher=CTV News Regina|date=2 May 2023|first=Drew|last=Postey|title=Riders select Australian punter and Italian lineman in 2023 Global Draft|access-date=2 May 2023|archive-date=2 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502211515/https://regina.ctvnews.ca/riders-select-australian-punter-and-italian-lineman-in-2023-global-draft-1.6380332|url-status=live}} After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, he was invited to rookie minicamps with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web|url=https://foxsportsradionewjersey.com/2023/05/02/rutgers-adam-korsak-invited-to-chiefs-and-steelers-camps/|website=Fox Sports|title=Rutgers' Adam Korsak Invited to Chiefs and Steelers Camps|date=2 May 2023|author=Cohen, Michael|access-date=12 May 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512005642/https://foxsportsradionewjersey.com/2023/05/02/rutgers-adam-korsak-invited-to-chiefs-and-steelers-camps/|url-status=live}} He then signed with the Roughriders on 21 May 2023.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2023 |title=Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Australian punter Adam Korsak |url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-australian-punter-adam-korsak/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=American Football International}} Korsak won the punter job following training camp, displacing the incumbent, Kaare Vedvik. Korsak played in all 18 regular season games in 2023, where he punted 117 times with a 47.9–yard average and had six singles and two special teams tackles.{{cite web|url=https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2050/11/2024-CFL-Guide-Digital.pdf |title=2024 CFL Guide |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=August 29, 2024}}
References
=Notes=
{{Notelist}}
=Citations=
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.riderville.com/players/adam-korsak/167895/ Saskatchewan Roughriders bio]
{{Saskatchewan Roughriders roster navbox}}
{{Ray Guy Award}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Korsak, Adam}}
Category:American football punters
Category:Sportspeople from Melbourne
Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights football players
Category:Australian players of American football
Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players
Category:Australian players of Canadian football