BATON ROUGE – LSU’s Brad Wing has been named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, which recognizes the most outstanding punter in college football, the Augusta Sports Council announced on Friday.
Wing, a redshirt freshman from Melbourne, Australia, is one of two players from the Southeastern Conference on the list. He’s joined by Auburn punter Steven Clark. Wing is the only freshman on the list of semifinalist. Ryan Allen of Louisiana Tech also made the list that consists of six juniors, three sophomores and a freshman.
For the year, Wing is averaging 43.4 yards on 37 punts. He’s had 19 of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line and 12 have traveled at least 50 yards. Last week, Wing connected on a career-best 73-yard punt against Alabama.
LSU currently leads the SEC and ranks No. 5 in the nation in net punting with a 40.7 average. Wing and the Tiger punt coverage unit have allowed just seven punt return yards this year.
Wing has twice been named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week this season.
The candidates were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on the punter’s net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaches, sports information directors, national media and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide the three award finalists, who will be announced on November 21. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.
2011 Ray Guy Award Semi-Finalists
Ryan Allen (Jr.) – Louisiana Tech
Ian Campbell (Jr.) – UTEP
Steven Clark (So.) – Auburn
Bobby Cowan (Jr.) – Idaho
Scott Kovanda (Jr.) – Ball State
Richie Leone (So.) – Houston
Pat O’Donnell (Jr.) – Cincinnati
Jackson Rice (Jr.) – Oregon
Brian Schmiedebusch (So.) – Bowling Green
Brad Wing (Fr.) – LSU