The Augusta Sports Council Announces 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Award Preseason Watch List Augusta, GA (August 14, 2026) - The Augusta Sports Council is pleased to announce the Preseason Watch List for the 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate punter in the Football Championship Series (FCS). Leading the way on the watch list are Brady Clark (Princeton), Ryan Marks (Utah Tech), Max Pelham (South Dakota State), and Ben Shrewsbury (Virginia Military Institute) who were Semifinalists for the award in 2025. 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List Liam Allen IV, Howard Brandon Bowman, Campbell Logan Chenette, Stonehill Brady Clark, Princeton Demetrion Duvall, Alcorn State Ryan Marks, Utah Tech Charlie Mullen, Tarleton State Max Pelham, South Dakota State Connor Poole, Lehigh Emiliano Salazar, San Diego Ben Shrewsbury, Virginia Military Institute Luke Silvernale, North Dakota Brett Starling, Hampton Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling, UTRGV The 14 candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum of FCS punters and were compiled based on previous FCS Punter of the Year semifinalists, 2025 All-American, and All-Conference selections, top performing punters, and 2026 Preseason All-American and Preseason All-Conference selections. This is not a final list as the winner of the FCS Punter of the Year Award does not need to appear on the preseason watch list. The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be determined by the FCS Punter of the Year Award national voting body, which consists of FCS sports information directors and national sports writers. Nominations for the 2026 FCS Punter of the Year will open on August 15. 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Award Schedule 8/15 - Nominations Open 11/22 - Nominations Close at noon ET 12/2 - Finalists Announced at noon ET 12/3 - Voting for Winner Opens 12/13 - Voting for Winner Closes 12/14 - Winner Announced *dates and times subject to change About the FCS Punter of the Year Award The Augusta Sports Council, also home to the Ray Guy Award (awarded to the best collegiate punter in the FBS), created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019 to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the FCS. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line, 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) is a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta, GA area as a destination for amateur sporting events. The ASC attracts, creates, and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Augusta's River Region. Visit www.augustasportscouncil.org to learn more. Related News Stories News Archives Full Standings