For a second-straight year, Baylor sophomore punter Drew Galitz was named as a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Monday. The Ray Guy Award honors the nation's top collegiate punter.
Galitz, a second-year starter from Rowlett, Texas, has punted 25 times for 1,061 yards for an average of 42.4 yards per punt in Baylor’s first seven games.
The sophomore has a season-long boot of 60 yards, has had five punts placed inside the 20-yard line and two touchbacks. He also has four 50-yard punts on the year.
Galitz currently ranks fifth in the Big 12 in punting average (42.4). That mark would also be 41st nationally if he met the minimum punt requirement.
Despite Baylor's offense not needing to punt often, Galtiz has helped BU rank fifth in the Big 12 and 32nd nationally in net punting at 39.57.
Galitz is one of 66 punters on the candidate list and one of eight in the Big 12.
The award has been given annually since 2000. Baylor's Daniel Sepulveda is the only two-time winner of the award (2004 and 2006). Meanwhile, Galitz's predecessor at BU, Spencer Roth, was a two-time watch list member and before that, Derek Epperson was a 2008 semifinalist for the honor and a three-time watch list member.
This candidate list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists on Nov. 11. Following the semifinalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be selected on Nov. 22. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner.
The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Dec. 8.
As a team, Baylor is off to a 6-1 and 3-1 start in Big 12 action. This week, Baylor is ranked No. 13 in both the Amway Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25.
Baylor will now host TCU Saturday at McLane Stadium. That game will be televised at 2:30 p.m. by FOX.
