Alabama Specialist Named to Ray Guy Award Watchlist

Since JK Scott's departure to the NFL, Alabama has struggled to find consistency in its punters. However, over the past three years, the Tide has been blessed with the leg of James Burnip. The Australian continues to get recognized as one of the nation's best punters, earning a spot on the 2024 Ray Guy Award watchlist.

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The Ray Guy Award annually recognizes the nation's top punter. Since the award's creation in 2000, the Crimson Tide has not had a punter win the honor.

Burnip isn't a stranger to the honor. Last season, the Aussie earned recognition as a semifinalist for the award following a stellar junior campaign in which Burnip averaged 47.5 yards per punt and had a longest punt of 67. Additionally, Burnip was acknowledged as the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week following Alabama's 34-24 loss against the Texas Longhorns.

The Alabama special teams unit will be in good hands in 2024. In addition to James Burnip, the Crimson Tide placekicker Graham Nicholson won the Lou Groza award in 2023 while at Miami (OH), becoming the first MAC player to win the award.

For more Alabama Football, Basketball, and Baseball content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on X/Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.