FORMER Melbourne rookie and Australian punter Cameron Johnston has secured an NFL contract, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.

The 25-year-old was recruited by the Demons at pick No.52 in the 2010 NAB Rookie Draft, but was delisted the following year after not playing a senior game.

He spent most of the 2011 season lining up for the Casey reserves, playing just six games for the senior VFL side.

Johnston, who stands at 181cm and weighs about 80kg, did not let the disappointment of having his AFL experience cut short, turning to NFL and most recently playing for Ohio State.

He was one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award last year, which is awarded to college football's most outstanding punter in the country.

Johnston joins a growing list of former AFL players joining the NFL, with the likes of fellow punters Sav Rocca and Ben Graham forging successful careers in the States.

Rocca played 112 games for the Philadelphia Eagles and became the oldest ever rookie in the NFL, while Graham featured in 99 matches for the New York Jets and was the first Australian to play in the Super Bowl.