Anthony Santella, WHS Class of 2006, just signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Former Illinois punter Anthony Santella agreed August 1st, 2011 to a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to his agent.  Santella becomes the sixth Illini this week to sign as an undrafted free agent.

Anthony Santella, Son of Gene and Karen Santella, grew up in Wauconda, IL, and played both football and soccer at Wauconda High School.  He averaged 44 yards per punt and kicked a career-long field goal of 47 yards.  80% of his kickoffs were touchbacks.  Anthony earned first-team All-Midwest honors by kicking.com, and was named to All-Area and All-Conference teams in football and soccer.

As a UI Senior, Anthony was named the First-team All-Big Ten selection by coaches, and second team by media.  Hey played in the Eastham Energy All-Star game in Tempe, Ariz., shared the team's Outstanding Specialist Award with Nate Bussey, and finished his career ranked fourth on the Illinois career punting average list (40.8) and second in career punts (244) and career punting yardage (9.964).  He also had 41 career punts of 50+ yards, including a long of 67, and dropped 61 punts inside the 20 during his career.  In 2010, Anthony played in all 13 games as the starting punter.  He finished second in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in punting (44.8 ypp), the second-highest season punting average in UI history, and also posted a career-high 18 punts of 50+ yards along with 15 inside the 20.

In addition to his signing with the Panthers, Anthony graduated UI in the summer of 2010, earning his Bachelor's degree in Sport Management.

Click on the following links to see Carolina’s Player Roster, or Santella’s Career Profile.