The Hildesheim Invaders of the German Football League have added another key signing to their already impressive recruiting season with the addition of Australian Punter/WR Jacob Templar.
The 6’4″, 215 lb Templar, a native of Brisbane, Australia, spent the past two seasons playing for German semifinalists, the Dresden Monarchs, where he punted 75 times for 2,790 yards with not a single punt blocked. He had 32 punts inside the 20 yard line and a total of 78 total punt return yards. He also played wide receiver in one of the most prolific offenses in Germany in 2018.
Before arriving in Dresden, Templar played for his hometown Bayside Ravens where he caught over 2,000 yards in passes and 20 touchdowns over two seasons. He also punted and was graded by Prokick Australia Punting Academy as an NCAA Div. I prospect. Prior to playing American football, Templar played Australian Rules Football.
American Football International asked Jacob about his change of team and his journey.
AFI: Can you fill us in on how you ended up changing teams?
Templar: I had been with the Dresden Monarchs for two seasons and was looking to return for a third. I was 99% self funded these last two seasons and needed financial assistance from a team to continue my journey playing in the GFL/Europe as an import. Unfortunately it was made clear this wouldn’t be possible in Dresden with the Monarchs alone with other private factors in my decision so, as the end of the season approached I began on the recruiting trail, messaging teams and attending a scouting camp and I also reached out to contacts from other teams, players and coaches as to what might be available. One of my friends I played with in Dresden my first year, Botond, had just finished his first season with Hildesheim and messaged me saying they would be interested in looking at me at their open tryout and showing me the city and what they can provide. I caught a 1 am bus to Hildesheim on a Saturday morning and ran drills for them that day with no sleep. Later that night the head coach, Matt Lefever, and some of the players, showed me the town and we went to the teams gym sponsor together. The next day I had an offer from the Invaders to come play WR and punt for them as they liked what they had seen. I had to retain my excitement as I knew now I could at least return to Germany to play again, but also I had found a team ready to invest in me as a player the next season, not to mention the fact that I fell in love with the town!
AFI: What your experience in Europe has been like both playing football and experiencing the culture?
Templar: The football is wildly better than back home, Australia’s league is still quite amateur and would compare to maybe low GFL2 to top GFL3 teams, but there are some talented guys that are looking for opportunities just like I was. The increase in speed was demanding and coming into the GFL as basically a rookie of the game due to my lack of exposure, required a huge amount of study and work to be done on my part. After only two years in the GFL I am a much more rounded and knowledge athlete and playing in such a high level league with higher caliber individuals around me is to thank for that.
The culture is also different to back home, living situations, temperatures, food, cost of living all is a complete difference, funnily enough I LOVE IT! Now when I head back to Australia (where I am as I type this), it feels like more of a holiday and I have adjusted to the culture of Germany so much. I find myself being freaked out by things I found so normal before playing in the GFL, such as the fact that we don’t recycle our cans/bottles for pfand.. I actually started a YouTube channel and vlog called “Punting For The People” which I will continue this season giving a glimpse of what living and playing in another country is like! But for now I love having two homes that are different, it keeps me on my toes!
AFI: What are your expectations moving to Hildesheim and playing with all their new recruits?
Templar: My expectations are always going to be high in an offseason, but I am also ready to put in the work needed for me to play a role in Hildesheim being successful in the GFL this year. You see all these great players being signed by the organisation, I have met some great German players and coaches at the tryout and the feeling I was getting/ the environment Hildesheim was showing when I visited was enough for me to be ready to play and give my all, any import should be excited for the next season as you never know when your last game will be. I love the game and can’t wait for another opportunity to put my all on the field. Playing/training and just communicating professionally with Casey Therriault and the other international signings will be huge, being with one of the/if not the greatest and most decorated QB to play in the GFL and Europe to learn from him and get feedback will improve my game to a different level. I’m ready to show that I can be a dangerous part of an offence, while also adding to my achievements as a dangerous punter who can pin teams for his defence consistently.
Check out Jacob’s highlights by clicking here.