AUGUSTA, Georgia — The Augusta Sports Council and the Ray Guy Award have named BYU punter Sam Vander Haar to the Ray Guy Award Watchlist for 2024.
Vander Haar, a sophomore from Melbourne, Australia, executed the first fake punt of his collegiate career at Baylor, running for 22 yards and a Cougar first down to help No. 22 BYU defeat the Bears 34-28 in Waco. The fourth down conversion eventually led to a field goal and a 34-21 lead in the fourth quarter. On the day, Vander Harr had three punts, averaging 51.0 yards per kick, including a key 70-yard boot late in the fourth quarter that pinned Baylor down at the 3-yard line.
Through five games, Vander Haar has 14 punts for 617 yards for an average of 44.1 yards per kick, tied for 29th in the nation. In addition, he has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line six times.
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 determine the winner of the Ray Guy Award each year are total yards, net punting average, punts downed or kicked out of bounds inside the 20-yard line and net punting average. The winner must also display leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
The Ray Guy Award committee will announce 10 semifinalists for the award on Nov. 15. 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. 26. After the finalists are named, the voting body will cast ballots to select the nation’s top punter for 2024.
The winner of the 2004 Ray Guy Award will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN on Dec. 12.