Former Arroyo Grande High punter Billy Vinnedge signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers after the completion of the NFL Draft on Sunday. He was the punter for Wyoming the past two seasons.
Unlike each of the past handful of years, Billy Vinnedge might not be roping calves at the annual Madonna Inn Championships by the time the last weekend in May rolls around.
The 23-year-old Arroyo Grande High graduate is going pro in another sport.
Vinnedge, who finished his college career as a kicker and punter for the Wyoming football team last fall, signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Chargers this weekend, just moments after the end of the NFL Draft on Sunday.
Though it surely signals the end of his career with the Cowboys, his new commitments as a Charger might also spell the end of his career as a cowboy.
“It might be,” Vinnedge said with a laugh Monday. “Football’s number one. (Roping is) just sort of a hobby… but I might get back into it again.”
For now, Vinnedge is preparing for the team’s first rookie mini-camp, set to take place this weekend in San Diego.
He said he could anticipate handling both kicking and punting duties for the Chargers throughout the preseason.
After that, who knows?
With two established veterans at both positions, San Diego isn’t likely to keep Vinnedge on the active roster unless there is an injury. He’s looking at this opportunity as a chance to possibly make the practice squad and audition for other organizations.
“They’ve got their two guys, but what’s big about the Chargers, what a lot of teams don’t do, they don’t like to play their guys in the preseason,” Vinnedge said. “I get a chance to play in their preseason games and pretty much get a chance to try out with every other team in the league.”
With NFL film and experience as both a kicker and punter, Vinnedge could try to catch on with another team later in the season or possibly next year.
It’s easy to see how those kinds of commitments can spoil even the best of recreational rodeo activities.
But it won’t stop former Arroyo Grande coach Jon Huss, who coached Vinnedge through his senior season in 2002, from remembering the good old days.
“He’s one heck of a cowboy,” Huss said. “He rides and ropes. He’s a pretty tough guy. He was not afraid to mix it up a little bit, didn’t shy away from contact.”
It was far from the only thing Huss noted about Vinnedge, who earned state kicker of the year honors after kicking 10 field goals as a senior, including ones from 52 and 54 yards. He also punted for an average of 48 yards, the third best average in California history.
That’s why — even though the three-sport standout never shied away from contact — Huss never allowed Vinnedge to play any other positions.
“He wanted to play receiver and we talked about it,” Huss said, “but to be honest, I said no. He’s too valuable if he were to get nicked up. He was guaranteed field position. He was playing defense for us.”
After spending a redshirt year at Cal Poly, Vinnedge went on to punt for two seasons at Allan Hancock before moving on to Wyoming.
His first season as a Cowboy, he only handled punting duties, but before his senior season, he won over the placekicking job, too.
This past year, Vinnedge punted 68 times for 42.7-yard average and was 13 of 18 on field goals, including a 57-yarder.
He’s the third Arroyo Grande grad in the past 10 years to sign with an NFL team. Offensive lineman Nick Milhauser signed to the Chargers practice squad in 2006 and played for the Buccaneers last year. Brian Watje was a long snapper for the Jets in 2006, and linebacker Bryan Jones was drafted by the Dolphins in 1999.
Another former Eagles standout, quarterback Jamie Martin, may see his 13-year NFL career end. He’s an unrestricted free agent and was replaced on the New Orleans Saints roster, ironically, by former St. Joseph standout Mark Brunell.
Vinnedge has no idea how long his career will last, but he’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
“It’s just an opportunity,” Vinnedge said. “It doesn’t really hit home and it hasn’t really hit me yet. Ninety-something percent of athletes are going to go pro in something other than their sport. It’s just ‘Wow, I’m getting to do this.’ ”
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