Tom Mante, Yale's all-time leader in punts, punting yardage and punting average, has been invited to the Chicago Bears rookie mini-camp.

Mante, the only player to be Yale's leading punter for four straight seasons, will leave Thursday and take part in the camp from Friday-Sunday.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic," Mante said. "I didn't dream of playing (professional football) until a couple years ago. I worked hard and this is a dream come true."

Mante will be competing against former UConn punter Desi Cullen at the rookie camp with the hope of getting invited to the Bears' training camp.

Brad Maynard, who averaged 41.6 yards per punt in 2009, is the incumbent punter for the Bears. Among those with at least 40 punts in 2009, Maynard ranked 26th in the NFL in punting average and was 18th with a 37.4 net punting average.

"They are looking for a combination punter/kickoff guy (to bring in) and that is what I am," Mante said. "I am excited to have this opportunity."