Salmi will try his luck as a punter after being scouted to a division one National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school. He will arrive in Missouri on Saturday and will play for Central Methodist University.

“It is a pretty small school. It is in a town called Fayette, which is smaller than Stawell,” Salmi said.

Salmi, 20, has grown up playing Australian Rules – enjoying a successful career that includes Swifts’ 2014 senior premiership. 

His thumping right boot drew the attention of scouts when playing football in Melbourne last year. 

“I was playing for the Monash Blues and I am not too sure how, but the college found out about me and at the end of the season I got a letter asking me to do a punting tryout,” he said.

Salmi will participate in a football camp two days after he arrives in Missouri.

“I have put on the pads once before but I haven’t played a single game,” he said. “It is a bit of a leap of faith for them to put their faith in me.”

Salmi said he would be just as focused on his studies, taking on a pre-athletic training course. 

With more Australians realising their dreams of playing professional sport in America, Salmi said he hoped he could make the most of his chances.

“It is obviously the dream (to play professionally),” he said. “It would be great fun to be able to do it but I really care about getting my degree and being able to do that really interests me.”