Pat McAfee is a name that is familiar far beyond the sporting world. With his personality, sharp sense of humor, and charm, he has become one of the most recognized names in sports casting.
However, before hosting “The Pat McAfee Show” or commentating for WWE, McAfee was an All-American punter at West Virginia University. His college football career is part of his larger-than-life journey. It’s worth reliving how this former Mountaineer left his imprint on the gridiron.
Pat McAfee’s College Football Career at West Virginia
McAfee’s journey to West Virginia University was not always traditional. McAfee was a multi-sport high school player born in Plum, Pennsylvania, competing in soccer and football. Though a great kicker, his actual ability was unleashed when he won the national Punt, Pass, and Kick championship. The media coverage of his win would be his passport to college football, eventually earning him a scholarship with the WVU Mountaineers.
McAfee joined the team in 2005, and he was a fixture in no time. He claimed the starting spot as the team’s kicker and punter. It was a dual role that he maintained for four years at college. He was immediately the fans’ favorite due to his strong leg and exceptional ability to turn field position around in the blink of an eye. McAfee had fantastic numbers in four years and was one of the nation’s top special-teams players.
McAfee’s On-Field Success
During his WVU career, he tallied 212 points, ranking him as one of the all-time greats in the program’s history. His punt numbers averaged 44.7 yards per punt as a senior. He had a sixth sense for kicking inside punts past the 20-yard line, 23 in a single season. Well, that was a priceless commodity for the Mountaineers.
McAfee didn’t care whether distance was a factor. He had a sixth sense for pinning the opposition deep in their territory. However, the most notable aspect of McAfee’s collegiate career was his performance in situations of need.
#ThrowbackThursday ∙ Celebrating the Mountaineer greats
The all-time leading scorer in program history, @PatMcAfeeShow is truly one of one 🫡 pic.twitter.com/RK3YF0bkzy
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) April 17, 2025
Perhaps his game of the career came in 2007 at the Fiesta Bowl. That’s where WVU overcame an early deficit and defeated Oklahoma. McAfee’s strong kicking and special teams coverage provided an upset win to the Mountaineers. He even established himself as the rising star of the college football ranks.
McAfee was rewarded for his excellence in 2008. That year, he was named a finalist for the highly prized Ray Guy Award, which goes to the nation’s top punter. He was also a first-team All-American that year, closing out a stellar college career.
After his time at WVU, McAfee was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft, indicating his talent and potential. As a punter whose NFL career was uncertain, McAfee silenced his naysayers later. McAfee became one of the finest punters in the league with spine-chilling speed, receiving two Pro Bowl selections and gaining the First-Team All-Pro in 2014.
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He had a cocky attitude that made him popular among fans and a locker room leader with the Colts. Not only did he play well on the pitch, but he was also a regular on social media every day. That’s where his fans loved his jokes and antics.
Life After Football
When he retired from the NFL in 2017, McAfee did not just disappear—he simply shifted into a career in sports media. McAfee began working on his podcast, “The Pat McAfee Show,” which rapidly became a huge success.
One of his most significant off-the-field accomplishments was being a WWE commentator. McAfee’s charisma made him the top candidate for the rugged world of professional wrestling.
And as he continues to entertain sports fans and others in the years to come, McAfee’s place in the pages of history is forever cemented. And though the days when he wore the uniform and played college ball are behind him, no slowing down in the pipeline for his line of work is on the agenda.
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