Alabama punter James Burnip named to Ray Guy Award watch list

The redshirt senior was named to the preseason watch list.

One of the most experienced punters in the country, Alabama Crimson Tide redshirt senior punter James Burnip has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Ray Guy Award.

The award is presented annually to the top punter in college football, with no winner having ever come from Alabama.

Burnip has been the starting punter for the Crimson Tide across each of the past three seasons, averaging a combined 43.3 yards per punt over that span. This three-year stretch has also included a career-best 2023 season in which he averaged a career-high 47.5 yards per punt across 14 games.

In all, Burnip had a career-high 57 punts last season for 2,710 yards, with his longest being a career-best 67 yards. Burnip also had 23 punts of at-least 50+ yards, as well as 22 that were downed inside the 20-yard line.

With Burnip set to combine with kicker Graham Nicholson, Alabama should now have one of the top special teams duo’s in the country this season.