Per GoBearcats:
Mason Fletcher was named on Wednesday to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Ray Guy Award, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate punter in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Fletcher was one of three finalists for the 2022 Ray Guy Award following a standout sophomore campaign in which he ranked fourth in the nation with a 46.2 average and booted 14 punts of 50 yards or more to go along with 29 punts downed inside the 20. His long punt of 84 yards at SMU shattered the Cincinnati and American Athletic Conference records. He garnered Associated Press Third Team All-America and All-AAC First Team accolades and was honored with the 2022 AAC Special Teams Player of the Year Award.
The Melbourne, Australia native collected preseason All-Big 12 accolades earlier this summer. He will be among the favorites for the 2023 Ray Guy honor.
Fletcher is one of 50 punters on the preseason watch list. The final list of candidates will be released on Nov. 6th. In mid-November, the Ray Guy Award committee will meet to select the 10 semifinalists, who will be announced on Nov. 10. A national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for the top three finalists to be announced on Nov. 22. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation’s top punter. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN in December 2023.
About the Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team’s success.
About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) enriches the quality of life and economic well-being for the Augusta metropolitan area by supporting and attracting sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.
Cincinnati Football Preseason Watch List Nominees
Mason Fletcher – Ray Guy Award
Dontay Corleone – Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy
