James Smith had a very good freshman season and now he is being placed on the Ray Guy Award Watch List. Normally players get better over the summer and if Smith improves on his already good numbers he may have a shot to be a finalists.
Per GoBearcats
University of Cincinnati sophomore punter James Smith (Wangaratta, Australia) was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List Monday, the Augusta Sports Council announced.
The Ray Guy Award is awarded annually to the nation’s top punter.
Smith, a First-Team All-AAC selection as a true freshman, kicked 64 times for a 42.0 per kick average with a long boot of 65 yards in 2017. He had 33 punts fair caught, dropped 21 inside the 20-yard line and booted nine kicks for 50 or more yards. The Bearcats led the league in punting, with a net average of 41.0 yards per punt. UC was one of four teams nationally to not have a touchback on a punt in 2017.
The Bearcats report back to campus for training camp on August 2 and hit the practice field on Aug. 3. UC opens the 2018 campaign at UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 1 in the Rose Bowl.
