Finally the sporting gods seem to be smiling on Josh Growden.
 
After a shortlived AFL career cruelled by injury, he’s earned a chance to pursue his dream of becoming an American football star.
 
Growden has signed with College football powerhouse Louisiana State University (LSU) as a punter, the same position filled in the NFL by former AFL players Sav Rocca, Ben Graham, Chris Bryan and Darren Bennett.
 
"It’s awesome, it’s more than awesome it’s unbelievable. 15 months ago I wouldn’t have dreamt this could happen," Growden told the Daily Telegraph.
 
"As disappointed as I was to not be playing in the AFL, I am so stoked to be doing what I’m doing right now, I’d rather be doing this than playing in the AFL.
 
"When 100,000 fans fill the stadium it will be amazing. The team gets a police escort to the game."
 
Growden, 21, was one of the first players to be pre-listed as a GIANT as a 17 year old in 2010 alongside Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel.
 
But he enjoyed little luck during his time at the GIANTS, suffering a badly broken leg in 2011 which led to an extended period on the sidelines.
 
Growden made a full recovery but didn’t play an AFL match before being delisted at the end of 2013.
 
A last minute decision to attend a punting combine in Melbourne with Nathan Chapman’s ProKick saw Growden put on hold a SANFL contract with Woodville-West Torrens and pursue a career as a punter.
 
The punting trial changed Growden’s life as he shifted to Melbourne and moved in with the family of another former GIANT, Sam Frost.
 
 LSU took notice of Growden’s impressive skillset and offered him a full scholarship.
 
LSU has a proud Australian connection with current punter Jamie Keehn and predecessor Brad Wing (now playing professionally for Pittsburgh) both from Australia.
 
Growden is expected to be Keehn’s understudy for the upcoming season and is expected to take over the role in 2016.
 
"Brad set it up so well and Jamie has been setting records. They want the best and they go to Australia to find them."
 
Having only visited the LSU campus for the first time this week, Growden will begin summer school in June with the college football season getting underway in September.