The San Francisco 49ers inked punter Jack Bouwmeester to a three-year deal, a move the team announced Saturday that’s definitely got some eyes on it. This isn’t your typical fresh-out-of-college rookie deal; Bouwmeester is 27 years old, which is a bit of an outlier for someone just entering the league. They also made a corresponding move, placing an undrafted free agent on the active/non-football injury list.
A Journeyed Path to the NFL Gridiron
Talk about taking the scenic route to the pros. Bouwmeester bounced around in his college career, hitting up Michigan State from 2019-2020, then Utah from 2022-2024, and finally finishing up at Texas in 2025. It’s a winding road that shows some serious grind, but it didn’t get him drafted. He’s joining Corliss Waitman on the 49ers roster at the punter spot, so it looks like they’re stacking up some competition or depth there.
The Numbers Behind the Veteran Rookie
So, what kind of leg is the NFC West getting ready to see? Last season for the Texas Longhorns, Bouwmeester averaged 44.5 yards per punt, which is solid, and he ripped off a long one of 58 yards. Across his entire college career, he logged 213 punts for a total of 9,338 yards, averaging 43.8 yards overall. These are consistent numbers for a guy who’s been punting for years. The 49ers clearly saw something they liked in those stats to give a 27-year-old rookie a multi-year commitment. It makes you wonder what they’re expecting from this guy right out of the gate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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