Austin Seibert: From Oklahoma Standout to NFL Journeyman

Austin Seibert's journey in football is a testament to dedication, skill, and the ability to adapt. From his early days as a high school standout to his record-setting college career at Oklahoma and his time in the NFL, Seibert consistently demonstrated his prowess as a kicker and punter. This article explores Seibert's college career, his transition to the NFL, and his recent decision to retire and move on to new endeavors.

Early Years and High School Success

Growing up with Midwestern roots in the St. Louis area, Seibert's initial interest in football emerged during his childhood. His talent quickly became apparent during his time at Belleville West High School. He earned the starting kicking job as a freshman, beating out older players, and distinguished himself as a versatile specialist. Seibert excelled not only at making field goals, including impressive 50-yard attempts, but also as a punter, significantly impacting field position for his team. His senior year, his accurate coffin-corner punts played a crucial role in Belleville West's victory over East St. Louis.

In 2015, Kohl's ranked Seibert as the No. 1 punter in his class, highlighting his exceptional abilities and potential for success at the next level.

Collegiate Career at Oklahoma

Seibert's success in high school attracted considerable attention from college programs. He received scholarship offers from prominent schools, including Indiana, Miami (Florida), Missouri, and Northwestern. In May 2014, he verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma, solidifying his decision by signing his national letter of intent in the school's library on February 4, 2015.

During his time with the Oklahoma Sooners, Austin Seibert cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished kickers in college football history. He started all four years as both placekicker and punter, a rare feat. Seibert's statistical dominance is evident in several school and conference records. He graduated with the most career points scored in Big 12 history, setting a standard of excellence for future specialists.

Seibert's contributions extended to key postseason moments, bolstering Oklahoma's legacy in high-stakes games. He learned how to cope with the kick-warping autumn winds of the central plains while setting an all-time Big 12 scoring record at the University of Oklahoma.

Coaches lauded his ability to handle all three duties: field goals, kickoffs and even punting, though placekicking will always pay his bills. He converted over 98 percent of extra point attempts and roughly 80 percent of field goal tries during four college seasons.

His achievements were recognized with the 2018 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year award. In addition to his end-of-season honors, Seibert earned multiple All-Big 12 selections, further solidifying his reputation as a top performer.

Transition to the NFL

Seibert's outstanding college career paved the way for his entry into the NFL. The Cleveland Browns drafted him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, marking a significant milestone in his football journey.

Cleveland Browns (2019-2020)

Seibert made the Browns' 53-man roster out of training camp and debuted in the NFL during the Browns' 2019 regular-season opener against the Tennessee Titans. As a rookie, he totaled 105 points, successfully converting 25 of 29 field goal attempts. In 2019, Seibert earned All-Rookie Team honors from Pro Football Reference.

Read also: Understanding UT Austin GPA

Cincinnati Bengals (2020)

After being waived by the Browns in September 2020, Seibert was claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Detroit Lions (2021-2022)

The Detroit Lions claimed Seibert off waivers in September 2021. During the 2021 season, he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and later on injured reserve due to a hip injury. He appeared in six games that season.

New York Jets (2023)

Seibert signed with the New York Jets in 2023, joining their practice squad. He was later released and then re-signed to the practice squad in December as insurance for placekicker Greg Zuerlein.

New Orleans Saints (2023)

During his time with the Jets, Seibert had a brief one-week trial with the New Orleans Saints.

Washington Commanders (2024)

In September 2024, the Washington Commanders signed Seibert to their active roster. He quickly became a key contributor, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. However, his season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve in November after missed kicks against Dallas.

Over his NFL career, Seibert appeared in 40 games across five teams: the Browns (2019-2020), Cincinnati Bengals (2020), Detroit Lions (2021-2022), New York Jets (2023), and Washington Commanders (2024). He made 72 of 86 field-goal attempts (83.7 percent). Just last year, he kicked a career-long 55-yarder for the Commanders as part of a season in which he was successful on 27 of 30 attempts and finished with 103 points.

Retirement and Future Plans

In a recent announcement, Austin Seibert retired from the NFL at the age of 28 due to nagging injuries. Despite the end of his professional football career, Seibert expressed excitement about his future plans.

He is looking forward to being a full-time dad to his two young children and a husband. Seibert also plans to pursue a career as a full-time teacher and possibly a staff football coach at Waterloo High School. Additionally, he intends to continue private coaching for aspiring kickers, sharing his expertise and passion for the sport with the next generation.

Seibert's decision to retire was solidified when he turned down an offer from the New York Giants. After initially agreeing to compete for a kicking job, he realized it was time to move on. He had no second thoughts about his decision.

Reflecting on his NFL career, Seibert acknowledged the challenges he faced, including injuries to his groin and hips. He didn't want to continue taking pills and getting shots to manage the pain. Despite the physical toll, he has many great memories of being a pro football player. He is thankful for the opportunities he had and the money he earned.

Seibert faced skepticism throughout his career but maintained inner confidence. He recalled a moment when he told his grandfather he would play in the Under Armour All-Star game, and he achieved that goal.

Looking ahead, Seibert hopes to have his No. 43 retired by Belleville West, a testament to his high school achievements and legacy.

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