The Ray Guy Award: Honoring the Nation’s Best Collegiate Punter

Augusta, GA (October 6, 2026) – The Augusta Sports Council and the Ray Guy Award named Will Karoll from Texas Tech as the Week Five Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week. Karoll was selected from Ray’s 8, announced Monday that included Jakob Anderson (Rutgers), Hunter Green (Washington), Bryan Hansen (West Virginia), Patrick Rea (James Madison), Jackson Ross (Tennessee), Daniel Sparks (Virginia), and Oliver Straw (UAB).

Karoll, a senior from New South Wales, Australia, punted three times and recorded a net average of 55.7 yards in Texas Tech’s 29-7 victory at Colorado. He had two punts downed inside the 20, had zero touchbacks, and none of his punts were returned. Karoll sailed a 66-yard punt that was downed at the 2-yard line midway through the fourth quarter with the Red Raiders leading 15-7 at the time. Colorado was picked off in its own end zone on the next play.

Congratulations to Will Karoll for being “our guy” this week!

2026 Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week Honorees
Week 1: Palmer Williams, Baylor
Week 2: Grayson Miller, Oklahoma
Week 3: Daniel Sparks, Virginia
Week 4: Tyler White, Texas A&M
Week 5: Will Karoll, Texas Tech

The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to identify the winner are net punting average, percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line, 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.

The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Augusta’s River Region. Visit www.augustasportscouncil.org to learn more.

The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 1.000 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.