University of Cincinnati punter James Smith was the Bearcats' lone first-team All-American Athletic Conference football player in 2017, and Smith on Monday was recognized among the best in America.
UC sophomore Smith, a native of Wangaratta, Australia, was among 27 punters named to the 2018 Ray Guy Award Watch List, the Augusta Sports Council announced. The Ray Guy Award is presented annually to the nation’s top college punter.
Smith punted 64 times for a 42.0-yard average in 2017, with a long boot of 65 yards. Smith had 33 punts fair caught, dropped 21 inside the 20-yard line and had nine kicks for 50 or more yards.