Paul Ernster

Infobox NFLactive
name=Paul Ernster


currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentpositionplain=Punter / Placekicker
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|1|26
birthplace=Phoenix, Arizona
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=217
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Denver Broncos
college=Northern Arizona
draftyear=2005
draftround=7
draftpick=239
pastteams=
* Denver Broncos (2005-2006)
* Cleveland Browns (2007)
* Denver Broncos (2007)
* Detroit Lions (2008)*
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2008)*:*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
status=Active
highlights=
* 3x Academic All-Big Sky (2002-2004)
* 2x All-Big Sky (2003-2004)
* Consensus All-American (2004)
nfl=ERN566472

Paul T. Ernster (born January 26, 1982 in city-state|Phoenix|Arizona) is an American football punter and placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northern Arizona.

Ernster has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

Early years

Ernster attended Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona where he was a two-year letterman in both football and baseball. In football, he was an All-State kicker, won All-Region honors as a linebacker, kicker, and punter, and was a two-time special teams Most Valuable Player award winner, and was the Defensive MVP as a senior.

College career

Ernster attended Northern Arizona University, and was a kicker, until punting his senior year. As a senior punter, he led the NCAA Division I-AA level, and the nation in average yards per punt, averaging 47.8 yards per punt. During his career at Northern Arizona University, he was a three-time All-Big Sky Conference All-Academics selection, a consensus All-American punter pick as a senior, and he finished his college career with 213 points, which ranks third in school history. As a kicker, he made 39 out of 65 field goal attempts, and 96 out of 100 PATs attempted.

Professional career

Detroit Lions

On April 11, 2008, Ernster was signed by the Detroit Lions. He was waived on July 29.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ernster was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers on July 29, 2008 after punter Daniel Sepulveda tore his ACL. [cite news |title= Steelers P Sepulveda out for season|url= http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txsteelerssepulveda&prov=st&type=lgns|work= NFL|publisher= Yahoo Sports!|date= 2008-07-29|accessdate=2008-08-01] [cite news|title= Steelers New Punter "Excited" To Be In Pittsburgh|url= http://kdka.com/steelers/Steelers.punter.Ernster.2.784358.html|work= Steelers|publisher= KDKA|date= 2008-07-31|accessdate=2008-08-01] However, he was cut prior to the regular season. [cite news |first= Gerry|last= Dulac|title= Reid, McBean among 22 cut from Steelers roster|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08244/908393-66.stm?cmpid=sports.xml|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-08-31|accessdate=2008-08-31]

Career statistics

Kicking Stats
YEAR	TEAM	G	FGM	FGA	PCT	1-19	20-29	30-39	40-49	50+	LNG	XPM	XPA	PTS
2005	DEN	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2006	DEN	3	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Punting Stats
YEAR	TEAM	G	ATT	AVG	LNG	YDS	BK	TB	TB%	IN20	IN20%	RET	YDS	AVG	NET
2006	DEN	3	17	44.6	61	759	0	2	11.8	4	23.5	9	104	11.6	38.5

External links

* [http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=4344 Denver Broncos bio]
* [http://www.detroitlions.com/bio.cfm?bio_id=502&season=10 Detroit Lions bio]
* [http://news.steelers.com/team/player/92313 Pittsburgh Steelers bio]