Brooks returned home to Wagga this week for his Christmas break on the back of a whirlwind start to his college football punting career.

Brooks' first taste came in front of 90,000 fans in the Jaguars' opening Sun Belt conference clash against Nebraska.

While his South Alabama team struggled and only posted two wins for the season, Brooks held his own with an average of 42.2 yards per punt.

The entire experience has been an eye-opener for the 26-year-old.

"It's really good, I've enjoyed it," Brooks said.

"The transition over there, going back to school and everything as well. It's been different but I've enjoyed every little bit of it.

"I've got school in the morning and night, training in the afternoon with team meetings so it's busy but I love it."

Brooks arrived in the United States shortly before the start of the season. He naturally found himself improving with each game.

"I've finished my first season. We only won two out of our 12 games and didn't have the best season offensively but that means I was out there a fair bit punting," he said.

"I had 70 punts, so I was pretty busy and ended up averaging 42.2 yards per punt, which was good. Anything over 40 yards you're happy with. I was playing better half way through the season and near the end with a bit of experience in game situations and getting used to it."

He said the highlight so far was the opening game.

"Our first game we played Nebraska and there was 90,000 there so that was huge," he said.

"It was like an AFL grand final. They take it very seriously."

Brooks will return in early January and this time undergo a full pre-season leading into spring ball and then the season proper.

"My coaches were really happy with my first year," he said.

"I'm there for the full year next year, I'm not getting there just before we play so it will be good, I'll get training in and can build on this season."

READ MORE