Hayden Hunt has been named one of three finalists for the 2015 Ray Guy Award, which is awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding punter.

Hunt has been nothing short of spectacular all season for Colorado State, consistently pinning opponents deep in their own territory. The junior from Long Beach is averaging 46.3 yards per punt, which is sixth best in the nation.

Although Hunt’s average does not rank among the top-five in the nation, his season long of 73 yards ranks among the top-three. Of Hunt’s 48 punts this season, 21 were downed within the opponent’s 20-yard-line.

Hunt was announced as a finalist for the award on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Award Special, which aired Tuesday afternoon. The other finalists for the award include Michael Carrizosa of San Jose State, and Tom Hackett (2014 winner) of Utah University.


Only one Mountain West player has ever been nominated for the Ray Guy Award. Louie Sakoda (Utah) was nominated in 2008. If either Hunt or Carrizosa wins the award, it would be the first Mountain West player to win the prestigious award.

Voting for the award is determined by a nationwide panel of coaches, college sports information directors, past winners of the award, along with members of the media. Presented by the Augusta Sports Council, the award winner will be announced Dec. 10 on ESPN’s College Football Award Show.

Collegian Sports Reporter Justin Michael can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @JustinSportsCSU.