CFB: Ranking the Top 15 College Football Punters for 2024

15. Jackson Ross, Tennessee

Jackson Ross had a monster freshman year and was a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2023. He punted 55 times for an average of 42.5 yards. He pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 22 times and forced 24 fair catches. He did have three touchbacks.

Tennessee 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5

2. James Burnip, Alabama

James Burnip has improved every season he has played. Last year, Burnip punted 67 times for an average of 47.6 yards. He only had seven touchbacks, pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 22 times, and forced 18 fair catches. Burnip will be on the Ray Guy Watch List and many preseason All-American teams.

Alabama 2024 Win Total: 9.5

3. Brett Thorson, Georgia

The Bulldogs have a good punter in Brett Thorson. As a freshman in 2022, he was All-SEC, and his career projection keeps going up. Last season, Thorson averaged 43.5 yards per punt and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 14 times while forcing 21 fair catches. Georgia’s defense is so good that having a great punter like Thorson helps them play complementary football.

Georgia 2024 Season Win Total: 10.5

4. James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State

James Ferguson-Reynolds increased his punting average by almost eight yards from 2022 to 2023, and the Broncos will be even better this year. His 49.7 yards per punt average led the nation and had 29 punts of 50 yards or further. He has a big leg but gets lost in the Mountain West.

Boise State 2024 Season Win Total: 8.5

5. James Evans, Indiana

James Evans has improved every year he has played. His big leg can help Indiana flip the field and play complementary football. He is Indiana’s career punt average leader at 43.9 yards. Last season, he punted 57 times and averaged 45.8 yards. He pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 15 times and had 22 punts of 50 yards or more with a long of 70 yards. He is one of the best punters in the Big Ten.

Indiana 2024 Season Win Total: 5.5

6. Jack Bouwmeester, Utah

Jack Bouwmeester continues the Utes' tradition of great punting. In 2023, he was named first-team All-Pac-12 and was a Ray Guy Award semi-finalist. He attempted 55 punts with an average of 45.5 yards and did not have one blocked. Bouwmeester forced opponents to fair catch 25 punts and downed the ball inside the 20-yard line 20 times. He also had 19 punts over 50 yards, including a long of 64 yards.

Utah 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5

7. Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan

A First-Team All-MAC performer in 2023, Mitchell Tomasek is one of the best punters in the country. On 67 punts, Tomasek averaged 45.7 yards and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 24 times. He had 20 punts over 50 yards and a season-long of 72 yards.

Eastern Michigan 2024 Season Win Total: 4.5

8. Marshall Nichols, UNLV

Usually, you roll the dice in Vegas, but playing it safe is easier with a weapon like punter Marshall Nichols. The Rebels have an All-Mountain West caliber punter and are not afraid to roll him out. Nichols punted 51 times with an average of 47.1 yards per punt. He forced 23 fair catches and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 18 times.

UNLV 2024 Season Win Total: 6.5

9. Ryan Eckley, Michigan State

Ryan Eckley earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023 after averaging 46.7 yards per punt and forced 21 fair catches. Eckley pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 24 times. He punted 67 times, and the Spartans hope that number decreases.

Michigan State 2024 Season Win Total: 4.5

10. Mark Vassett, Colorado

Mark Vassett led the Pac-12 in punts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line with 22. He was named second-team All-Pac 12 as well. Sixteen of his 65 punts were over 50 yards. However, he only forced 14 fair catches.

Colorado 2024 Season Win Total: 5.5

11. Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida

Florida needs a good punter, and the Gators have one in Jeremy Crawshaw, who was Second-Team All-SEC in 2023, and a Phil Steele preseason All-American (fourth team). Last season, Crawshaw punted 42 times for an average of 48.9 yards. He had 21 kicks over 50 yards and pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 15 times.

Florida 2024 Season Win Total: 4.5

12. Tommy Doman, Michigan

Tommy Doman was a third-team All-Big Ten selection for the National Champions in 2023. He punted 53 times in 15 games and averaged 44.3 yards per punt. Doman pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 18 times and forced 26 fair catches. He’s a weapon for a team who should have another great defense.

Michigan 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5

13. Kai Kroeger, Arkansas

The former All-American punter had a “down” season in 2023 but was still one of the SEC's best punters. Kai Kroeger punted 62 times for an average of 43.2 yards per punt and 35.5 percent of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. He has a career-long punt of 79 yards.

Arkansas 2024 Season Win Total: 4.5

14. Lachlan Wilson, California

Lachlan Wilson will find his name on the preseason Ray Guy Award Watch List yet again in 2024. He was a Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023 after averaging 44.5 yards per punt last season.

California 2024 Season Win Total: 6.5

15. Jackson Ross, Tennessee

Jackson Ross had a monster freshman year and was a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2023. He punted 55 times for an average of 42.5 yards. He pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 22 times and forced 24 fair catches. He did have three touchbacks.

Tennessee 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5