FORMER Melbourne footballer Cameron Johnston is set to take the field for Ohio State University in front of 100,000 fans at Texas’ AT&T Stadium for the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Melbourne selected Johnston, a medium-sized forward from Geelong Falcons/St Joseph’s College, with its fourth round pick (selection no. 63) in the 2011 Rookie Draft.

Johnston played six senior VFL games and eight reserves games for Casey Scorpions but did not feature for Melbourne and was delisted at the end of the 2011 season.

Following his delisting, Johnston made the decision to join Prokick Australia, a school which works to develop Australians as American football punters or place kickers, with an aim to secure either a professional contract or college scholarship.

"I've always been able to kick a ball a long way," Johnston told AAP.

"It's been the thing I've been able to do from a young age."

Johnston’s long kicking and hard work paid off: he received a scholarship to Ohio State University and earned a place as the football team’s punter.

Today, he will line up for the Ohio State Buckeyes against the University of Oregon Ducks, in a game watched by millions around the world.

Johnston’s ability to punt with distance and hangtime could well play an important role for the Buckeyes, with a fast reaction time crucial in order for Ohio’s special teams to get down the field and attempt to prevent a return.

"You have about 1.8 seconds to get the ball out of your hands and kick it," Johnston said.

"You know if it gets blocked it is game over."

The College Football Playoff National Championship Game will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and kicks off at 12.30pm AEST.