SOUTH BEND —Notre Dame football punter James Rendell had a key role as a decoy last season on a handful of widely celebrated fakes out of punt formation.
Could 2025 be the year the former Australian Rules Footballer gets to expand on the fun?
“We’ll see,” Rendell said with a smile. “I think I’ve got to put a GPS tracker on me at practice, just to see my top speed.”
Now listed at 227 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame, Rendell has gained three pounds since the end of last season. He remembers hearing about former Ohio State punter Jesse Mirco, his fellow Prokick Australia alum who caused a stir with a 22-yard run on a fake punt against Rutgers in 2022.
Mirco, who later transferred to Vanderbilt, had a 9-yard run last season as well.
Noting that Irish coach Marcus Freeman and special teams coordinator Marty Biagi are “really diligent with the plays that they come up with and the schemes,” Rendell suggested he wouldn’t mind tucking the football under his arm sometime and racing downfield.
“If there’s one that they call where I take off for a first down,” he said, “then I’d be all for it.”
As for passing out of punt formation, Rendell disclosed he’s “done a little of work” with quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli. However, the different dimensions between an Australian football and the American version have left Rendell lagging in the quest to launch a perfect spiral.
Rooming last season with former Irish quarterback Riley Leonard gave Rendell plenty of chances to introduce the subject.
“I was always trying to get him to give me some tips and things like that,” Rendell said. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
Then again, proximity to a passing expert is no guarantee of skill transference.
“I think I can throw it, but Riley said my technique is beyond help,” Rendell said. “I can definitely get it down there, but we’ll see.”
After successfully petitioning the NCAA for a second year of eligibility, Rendell and Biagi are hoping to extend this arrangement through the 2026 season. As Rendell’s performance ticked up over the second half of 2024 and through the College Football Playoff, the notion of putting down roots with the Irish carries great appeal.
“It’s a possibility, but I don’t want to speculate on that too much at the moment,” Rendell said. “I’m just focused on the present moment and the season ahead. If I can get an extra year, obviously, everyone would like that. We'll have to play it by ear.”
Biagi said Notre Dame’s compliance department has been “trying to navigate through that” with the NCAA, but the door is open if Rendell can get the approval.
“We’re hoping,” Biagi said. “Keeping (our) fingers crossed.”
In the meantime, Rendell can work on his passing form.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.