Joseph Zema
| No. 36 Montreal Alouettes | |
 Zema with the Montreal Alouettes in 2022 | |
| Born: | August 10, 1994 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | Global |
| Position(s) | Punter |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| College | Incarnate Word |
| High school | Whitefriars |
| CFL draft | 2021G, round: 1, pick: 6 |
| Drafted by | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2019 | San Antonio Commanders |
| 2021–present | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Joseph Zema (born August 10, 1994) is an Australian professional football punter for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
College career
Zema played college football for the Incarnate Word Cardinals in 2017 as a graduate transfer from Australian Catholic University.[1][2]
Professional career
San Antonio Commanders
Following his college career, Zema had tryouts with the National Football League's New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, but was not signed. Instead, he signed with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football in 2019 where he had 37 punts with a 45.8-yard average.[3] His contract was terminated following the dissolution of the league on April 2, 2019.[4]
Montreal Alouettes
Zema was declared eligible for the 2021 CFL Global Draft where he was drafted sixth overall by the Montreal Alouettes.[5] He then signed with the team on June 8, 2021.[6] He earned the job as the team's punter following training camp and played in all 14 regular season games where he punted 90 times with a 45.2-yard average.[7]
In 2022, Zema continued his strong play where he played in all 18 regular season games and had 85 punts with a 47.3-yard average.[7]
Personal life
Murray was born in Melbourne, Victoria, to parents Nick and Antonietta Zema.[1] He has one brother, Matthew.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Joe Zema". Incarnate Word Cardinals. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
- ^ "Aussie punter Joe Zema putting his best foot forward with Alouettes". Montreal Gazette. July 23, 2021.
- ^ "Alouettes sign former University of Montreal receiver Kevin Kaya, four 2021 Global Draft picks". 3DownNation. June 8, 2021.
- ^ "AAF suspends operations; Polian 'disappointed'". ESPN. April 2, 2019.
- ^ "CFL teams select four Australian punters in first round of global draft". Sportsnet. April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Alouettes sign former University of Montreal receiver Kevin Kaya, four 2021 Global Draft picks". 3DownNation. June 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Joseph Zema". Canadian Football League. Retrieved June 25, 2022.