Alabama punter James Burnip signs with New Orleans Saints

Alabama punter James Burnip has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints, the Crimson Tide announced on social media.

Originally from Victoria, Australia, Burnip spent four seasons with the Crimson Tide and started every year. The 6-6, 236-pound punter averaged 45.4 yards per punt in 2024 a year after averaging a career-best 47.5 yards per punt in 2023.

His longest punt ever went 67 yards.

Burnip finished with an average of 43.9 yards per punt, second only in Alabama history to Chargers punter JK Scott.

First Southern Cal talked to Burnip about joining, but their punting opening closed because of added eligibility resulting from the COVID-19 season. Then Burnip committed to Ole Miss, but that opening also closed as the Rebels’ punter decided to stay and use an extra year of eligibility.

So, Burnip wound up at Alabama, a school fresh off winning the national championship in 2020.

“Alabama came calling and I think I would be pretty dumb to say no to coach Saban when he’s on a Zoom call and it’s 3 a.m. my time,” Burnip said at the NFL scouting combine.

It worked out well for Burnip, who played for Saban and coach Kalen DeBoer, who’s now in his second season leading the Crimson Tide.

“Burnip is going to be really tough to replace,” DeBoer said in March. “I don’t know if there’s another Burnip (on the Alabama roster) right now just because he’s different. He’s the best I’ve ever been around when it comes to punters. We were towards the top in the country for a reason.”