He played college football for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft.
He attended Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona, where he was a two-year letterman in both football and baseball.
Ernster attended Northern Arizona University, and was a kicker, until punting his senior year.
[2] After replacing Todd Sauerbrun in 2006, Ernster led the NFL in kickoff distance and was third in touchbacks.
Ernster was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers on July 29, 2008, after punter Daniel Sepulveda tore his ACL.