Augusta, Ga. - The Augusta Sports Council announced the preseason watchlist for the 2023 FCS Punter of the Year Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate punter in the FCS. Butler's Luka Zurak was included after being named PFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022.
 
The 17 candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Championship Series (FCS) punters. The 2023 watch list was compiled based on the 2022 FCS Punter of the Year watchlist, the 2022 All-Conference teams, and the 2022 All-American Teams.
 
Zurak helped Butler lead the PFL in net punting (36.9) and rank second in punt return defense last season. He has handled punting for the Bulldogs in each of the last three seasons averaging 41.5 yards per punt in Spring of 2021, 39.8 yards in Fall of 2021 and 41.8 yards per punt in 2022.
 
The First Team All-PFL selection punted the ball 38 times last year covering 1,576 yards. He pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line eight times and forced a fair catch nine times. Zurak only had four touchbacks in 2022 and boomed the ball over 50 yards seven times! His longest punt of the 2022 campaign traveled 67 yards at Davidson (10/1).
 
The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be voted on by the FCS Punter of the Year Award/Ray Guy Award Committee and will be announced after regular season play commences.
 
2023 Preseason Watchlist
Aaron Trusler, Richmond
Austin Dunlap, Southeastern Louisiana
Bradley Porcellato, Samford
Evan Matthes, Valparaiso
Grant Burkett, Missouri State
Jack Culbreath, VMI
Josh Sanchez, Arkansas Pine Bluff
Kaedin Steindorf, North Dakota State
Luka Zurak, Butler
Matt Noll, Jackson State
Patrick Haughney, Holy Cross
Ryan Kost, Delaware
Shelby Pruett, Colgate
Trey Wilhoit, FAMU
Tyler Pastula, University at Albany
Will Lynch, LIU
Will Whitehurst, William & Mary
 
About the FCS Punter of the Year Award
The Augusta Sports Council, also home to the Ray Guy Award (awarded to the best collegiate punter in the FBS), created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019 to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the FCS. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
 
About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) enriches the quality of life and economic well-being for the Augusta metropolitan area by supporting and attracting sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.