The UCLA Bruins have added a key piece to their special teams unit with the commitment of Will Karoll, a transfer punter from Tulane. The Sydney, Australia native announced his decision during an official campus visit, citing the university’s campus, facilities, and the overall welcoming environment as decisive factors in choosing the Bruins.
Karoll brings a strong résumé to Westwood. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 200 pounds, he served as Tulane’s starting punter for the past two seasons, delivering consistent production with an average of 43.3 yards per punt across 83 career attempts. His Australian-style punting has resulted in 24 punts traveling 50 yards or more and 23 that were pinned inside the opponent’s 20-yard line—evidence of both leg strength and precision. He has two years of eligibility remaining and is widely expected to take over as UCLA’s starting punter in 2025.
UCLA Bruins Get Punter From Tulane

His arrival couldn’t come at a better time. UCLA has been thin at the position following the offseason transfer of Brody Richter, last year’s starter. During spring practices, junior Mateen Bhaghani had been handling both punting and kicking duties—a situation far from ideal in today’s era of position specialization. While Bhaghani held up well during this dual-role stretch, the Bruins were clearly in search of a dedicated punter to stabilize the unit. With Karoll now in the fold, Bhaghani can return to focusing exclusively on placekicking.
The Bruins’ coaching staff was heavily involved in Karoll’s recruitment, making a strong impression during his visit. The commitment is another signal of UCLA’s push to fortify special teams, which has seen added attention under head coach Chip Kelly’s regime. The program will also welcome freshman walk-on punter Lennox Miller later this summer, adding further depth to the position.
However, questions still remain, particularly concerning the backup kicker role. UCLA is continuing to evaluate its options behind Bhaghani as it finalizes its special teams depth chart for the upcoming season.
For now, though, the addition of Karoll gives the Bruins a much-needed boost. With proven performance at the FBS level and the physical tools to thrive in the Pac-12, Karoll is poised to become a reliable contributor, helping UCLA transition smoothly into a new era on special teams.