8/28/2003 - Football
Skaggs On Ray Guy Award Watch List
AUGUSTA, GA - The Greater Augusta Sports Council is pleased to present the
following 32 college football punters who have been named to the 2003 Ray
Guy Award watch list as potential candidates for the top collegiate punter
of the year.
The Ray Guy Award will be presented to the nation's best collegiate punter
as determined by a national selection committee made up of sports writers,
college football coaches and sports information directors, former punters
and members designated by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. Among the
statistics to be included in determining the Ray Guy Award winner are total
yardage, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside of
the opponent's 20-yard line, net average, average return yardage and
percentage not returned The winner will display leadership and
self-discipline, and will have a positive impact on the team's success.
The Ray Guy Award watch list will be narrowed to ten semi-finalists who will
be announced in early November. The national voting body will then vote for
the three finalists and the winner who will be announced in late November.
On December 11, 2003 the three finalists will travel to Orlando, Florida for
the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, with the winner being announced
and presented with the award live on ESPN. Punters are eligible to join the
watch list at any time prior to the announcement of the ten semi-finalists.
Further, the Ray Guy Award winner will be invited to Augusta, Georgia for an
exciting two-day celebration, including the Greater Augusta Sports Awards
Gala, the Ray Guy Kicking & Punting Academy, and community appearances.
During his All-American collegiate football tenure at Southern Mississippi
and his legendary career as a Pro Bowl punter for the NFL's Oakland Raiders,
Ray Guy, a native of Thomson, Georgia was unsurpassed in his ability to
impact the outcome of games with incredible hang time and ball control.
Since his retirement, Ray Guy has sought to bring heightened awareness and
recognition to the punter position at all levels, and to spotlight the
contributions and talents that these young athletes bring to the playing
field.
2003 Ray Guy Award Watch List
Curtis Ansel, Kansas, Senior
Grant Autrey, Louisiana-Lafayette, Senior
Bryce Benekos, Texas-El Paso, Junior
Vinnie Burns, Virginia Tech, Senior
Adam Coles, Connecticut, Senior
Jared Cook, Mississippi State, Junior
Luke Donovan, Wyoming, Senior
Ryan Dougherty, East Carolina, Sophomore
Ryan Downes, Idaho, Senior
Adam Finley, Michigan, Senior
Brock Harvey, Missouri, Senior
Austin Herbert, North Carolina State, Senior
Brian Huffman, Northwestern, Senior
Todd James, West Virginia, Senior
Derek Jones, Nevada, Senior
Donnie Jones, Louisiana State, Senior
Brad Kadlubar, North Texas, Junior
Kyle Larson, Nebraska, Senior
Andy Lee, Pittsburgh, Senior
Tom Malone, Southern California, Sophomore
Jimmy McClary, Houston, Senior
Tim Parker, Arizona State, Senior
Matt Payne, Brigham Young, Senior
Ryan Plackemeier, Wake Forest, Sophomore
Adam Podlesh, Maryland, Sophomore
Cody Ridgeway, Mississippi, Junior
Cody Scates, Texas A&M, Senior
Nicholas Setta, Notre Dame, Senior
John Skaggs, Navy, Senior
Brent Slaton, Purdue, Senior
Mike Wafzig, Miami (Ohio),Junior
Tony Yelk, Iowa State, Senior
