Corliss Waitman Bio
Corliss Leendert Waitman is a Belgian-American professional football punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Alabama Jaguars and later transferred to Mississippi State University. His diverse upbringing, with family roots in Suriname and a childhood spent in Belgium and the Netherlands, has shaped his unique perspective in the sport. Waitman transitioned from soccer to football during high school in the United States and has built a steady NFL career since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 209 pounds, Waitman has carved out a role as a reliable specialist across multiple franchises. He has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week and earned first-team All-Sun Belt recognition during his college career. After stops with several organizations, he has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he now serves as the starting punter.
Early Life and Background
Corliss Leendert Waitman was born on 21 July 1995 in Ghent, Belgium. His mother is of Surinamese descent, giving him cultural ties to South America, while his father, José Waitman, is a former professional basketball player. At the time of Corliss’s birth, his father was playing professionally in Belgium. The family later moved to the Netherlands, where Corliss spent much of his childhood immersed in Dutch culture and language.
When he was 15 years old, Waitman moved to the United States to live with his father, settling in Milton, Florida. He attended Milton High School, where his athletic interests took a decisive turn. Waitman is fluent in both Dutch and English, a linguistic skill shaped by his international upbringing. His early exposure to multiple countries and sports laid the foundation for his later transition to American football.
Path to American Football
At Milton High School, Waitman switched from playing soccer to football, taking up the punting role relatively late compared to many specialists. His strong leg, developed through years of kicking a soccer ball, translated well to the demands of American punting. This transition marked the beginning of his path toward collegiate and eventually professional football.
Waitman accepted a scholarship to play college football at the University of South Alabama, where he suited up for the Jaguars from 2014 through 2018. During his time with the Jaguars, he earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2017, establishing himself as one of the top punters in the conference. In February 2019, he transferred to Mississippi State University seeking an additional season of eligibility, but the NCAA denied his request. As a result, Waitman did not play college football in 2019 and turned his attention toward the professional ranks.
Corliss Waitman Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Waitman signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on 28 April 2020, beginning his professional career in the NFL. He was waived on 5 September 2020 but quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, where he continued to develop. On 14 January 2021, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers, only to be waived again on 3 May 2021.
His next opportunity came on 26 July 2021, when the Las Vegas Raiders signed him. Waitman was waived by the Raiders on 23 August 2021. Later that year, on 23 November 2021, he was signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad. On 25 December 2021, Waitman was signed off the Patriots practice squad by the Pittsburgh Steelers after punter Pressley Harvin III took bereavement leave, and he made his NFL debut the following day in a Week 16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Denver Broncos and New England Patriots (2022–2023)
On 17 January 2022, Waitman was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos. He was also selected by the Edmonton Elks in the third round of the 2022 CFL Global Draft, though he remained in the NFL. On 29 August 2022, after veteran punter Sam Martin was released, Waitman was named the starting punter for the Broncos. In Week 3, he punted 10 times, placing six inside the 20-yard line in an 11–10 win over the San Francisco 49ers, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
On 23 March 2023, Waitman signed a contract with the New England Patriots following the release of Jake Bailey. He was released on 28 August 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad before being released again on 4 October 2023. On 9 January 2024, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chicago Bears but was waived on 27 August 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On 9 September 2024, Waitman again signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a season-ending injury to Cameron Johnston. During the 2024 campaign, he punted 65 times, averaging 46.4 yards per punt and placing 27 punts inside the 20-yard line. His longest punt of the season was 71 yards, recorded in an 18–16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Waitman made his postseason debut in the Steelers’ 28–14 loss to the Ravens on 11 January 2025, punting five times for 257 yards, a 51.4-yard average.
In 2025, Waitman returned to the Steelers to compete with Johnston for the punter position during training camp and preseason games. After Johnston was released on 25 August 2025, Waitman officially became the Steelers’ starting punter for a second consecutive season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Waitman’s strengths as a punter include a powerful leg, consistent directional control, and the ability to flip field position. His background as a soccer player has contributed to his clean striking technique and accuracy. He has shown a particular aptitude for coffin-corner punts, regularly pinning opponents deep in their own territory.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waitman’s Week 3 performance against the San Francisco 49ers in 2022 stands out as a signature moment, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His 71-yard punt against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2024 season demonstrated his big-leg potential, and his postseason debut in January 2025 marked a major career milestone.
Corliss Waitman Career Wins
Corliss Waitman has built his NFL résumé through consistency and special teams contributions rather than traditional win statistics tied to offense or defense. His impact is most visible in field position battles and his Week 3 heroics with the Denver Broncos in 2022, when he helped secure an 11–10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
NFL Highlights
Waitman’s most memorable performance came with the Denver Broncos in Week 3 of the 2022 season, when his 10 punts, six inside the 20-yard line, played a central role in a one-score win over the San Francisco 49ers. With the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, he contributed to a narrow 18–16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens with a 71-yard punt, the longest of his season.
Corliss Waitman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Corliss Waitman’s family background is rooted in sports and international culture. His father, José Waitman, is a former professional basketball player who was competing in Belgium at the time of Corliss’s birth. His mother is of Surinamese descent, adding another layer to the family’s diverse heritage. The family lived in the Netherlands during Corliss’s early childhood before relocating to the United States.
Personal Life
Waitman’s multicultural upbringing has been a defining element of his personal identity. He is fluent in Dutch and English, reflecting the years he spent in the Netherlands and the United States. He currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, continuing his professional football career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Corliss Waitman entered the 2025 NFL season competing with Cameron Johnston for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ punter role during training camp and preseason games. The competition carried momentum from his strong 2024 campaign, in which he averaged 46.4 yards per punt. With Johnston released on 25 August 2025, Waitman officially secured the starting punter position for a second consecutive season.
His return to a starting role reflects the trust the Steelers organization has placed in his leg strength and directional accuracy. Waitman’s experience across multiple franchises, including Denver, New England, and Chicago, has given him a wide-ranging understanding of special teams schemes. Heading into the regular season, he is expected to handle all punting duties for Pittsburgh.
With his international background, athletic pedigree, and proven production, Waitman remains a steady specialist for the Steelers. His continued development and consistency will be central to Pittsburgh’s field position strategy throughout the 2025 season and beyond.