Q&A with new UK punter commit Wilson Berry

Kentucky is making a habit of this Australian punter situation. There's a nice tradition developing in Lexington.

On Monday, the Wildcats landed a commitment from Wilson Berry, a punter from Australia and a former Australian rules footballer.

He spoke with Cats Illustrated in spite of the time difference shortly thereafter.

CI: It's not too often that a program takes a scholarship punter. Maybe once every four years. What was the process like with Kentucky? How did they get involved with you and how did it play out?

Wilson Berry: It's obviously all through Prokick Australia. Nathan Chapman and John Smith are the leaders of that group. Obviously the work that Max Duffy has done to lead that pathway. It sort of made sense for Kentucky to come back to the pot again and look for another Aussie.

CI: What has your work with Prokick Australia been like? How long have you been associated with them and what does that entail?

Berry: I started with them about a month before Christmas so it hasn't been too long. They got me right to work and snapping balls. It's awesome.

CI: How long have you been interested in transitioning to American football?

Berry: Well my older brother plays with the Pittsburgh Steelers so it's always been something that's been in the back of my mind. I guess I obviously grew up wanting to be an Australian rules footballer and I was playing in the AFL which is similar to being on a practice squad. It sort of got to a point where I wasn't quite at that level so I thought why not give this a crack and see where the pathway leads?

CI: How old are you?

Berry: I'm 22.

CI: So are you going to have four years of eligibility?

Berry: Yeah, I will have the full four years. So that's obviously very exciting.

CI: Have they told you what the depth chart situation is? Pretty wide open after Max leaves?

Berry: We haven't spoken too much. I've been in contact with Coach Louie Matsakis. Not too much. I've sent him video of me kicking. Not too much talk about what the depth chart will be like when I roll in.

CI: How much did Max Duffy's success play into your decision? Was it looking at this guy in a similar situation going to Kentucky and winning the Ray Guy Award, and that simple?

Berry: Yeah absolutely and I have actually been to Lexington before. My brother got married there a couple of years ago.

CI: A Kentucky girl?

Berry: He did. He married a Kentucky girl. So it was quite an easy decision to come to Kentucky.

CI: You won't be too far away from your brother. Is that something you guys have talked about?

Berry: We have talked about it. So to be close to family, close to friends. it all made sense. It's kind of the perfect little set up there.

CI: Is he the only family you have in that area or are other family members there now?

Berry: So my parents actually live in Florida. My old man is a part of the IMG Academy in Brandenton.

CI: They've got some pretty good football players there, too.

Berry: Yeah, I have heard about the freaks and the gym stories. Quite some athletes down there.

CI: Have you had a chance to talk to Max?

Berry: Yeah, I have had a chance to talk to Max and he's got nothing but praise for Kentucky so it just made the decision all that much better. Max is a great guy. It's going to be tough to live up to the name he's got there but I'm excited to give it a crack.

CI: So they technically don't have an on-field coordinator but Coach Matsakis has basically been that behind the scenes. Have you gotten to know him pretty well?

Berry: Just through Twitter conversations. He seems like a really cool dude. Max raves about him and, yeah, it's quite a cool set up.

CI: You'll be enrolling next summer?

Berry: I'll be enrolling in January.

CI: As far as your Australian rules career I think I saw a video of you doing a bee celebration. Was that you?

Berry: That is me (laughing). Yeah, I made it big in the AFL memes there for a little while. It's something that's quite easy to look up when you search Wilson Berry on YouTube.