James Burnip
Career Summary
James Burnip is an Australian punter who played college football at Alabama.
A native of Mount Macedon, Victoria, he entered the Saints' rookie program in 2025 and signed with Ottawa in January 2026.
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College Career
Burnip joined Alabama in the summer of 2021 after previously committing to Ole Miss.
He finished his Alabama career with 203 punts for 8,904 yards and a 43.9-yard average. In 2024, he averaged 45.4 yards on 52 punts, with 20 traveling at least 50 yards and 19 downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
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Path to the NFL
Burnip entered New Orleans' 2025 rookie minicamp as an undrafted free agent.
The Saints' May 8 roster announcement listed the Alabama punter wearing No. 46, connecting his college career to his first NFL offseason.
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NFL Career
Burnip spent the 2025 training-camp period with New Orleans.
The Saints announced that they waived him on August 25, 2025. Ottawa subsequently announced his signing on January 30, 2026, after selecting him 14th overall in the 2025 CFL Global Draft.
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Career Accomplishments
Burnip was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist in 2024.
Alabama credits his final-season average with ranking fourth in the SEC and ninth nationally. He also earned Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week recognition after averaging 49.2 yards on five punts against Wisconsin, four of which finished inside the 20.
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Playing Style
Burnip's final Alabama season combined distance with field-position control.
His 2024 punts produced only five return yards, while 19 of his 52 kicks finished inside the 20-yard line. Those results document his ability to limit opposing return opportunities.
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Sources for this section
31327, 00-0040114, 2001-02-20, James Burnip, James, Burnip
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