AUGUSTA, Ga. – University of Tennessee at Martin specialist Aidan Laros has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2023 FCS Punter of the Year Award, presented by the Augusta Sports Council. The semifinalists were chosen from a field of 26 nominated candidates.
The candidates were evaluated by the FCS Punter of the Year Award committee on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on net punting average, number of times a punt was downed or kicked out-of-bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team’s success.
A national voting body of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) sports information directors, conference representatives and sports writers will choose the winner from our top 10 semifinalists. The winner will be announced on Friday, December 15.
2023 FCS Punter of the Year Award Semifinalists
Aaron Trusler, Richmond
Aidan Laros, UT Martin
Austin Dunlap, Southeastern Louisiana
Brendan Hall, Montana State
Evan Matthes, Valparaiso
Grant Burkett, Missouri State
Jack Burgess, Weber State
Orion Phillips, Murray State
Tyler Pastula, Albany
Will Lynch, LIU
Laros, 6-2 specialist from Cape Town, South Africa, led the country in punting average and was named Big South-OVC Special Teams Player of the Year. In his first year at UT Martin, he led the FCS in punting by averaging 47.2 yards per attempt while setting a new program record. Overall, he punted 51 times with a long punt of 70 yards (done twice), 18 of his punts were 50 yards or longer, 16 were downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and he only had seven touchbacks. Laros also handled kicking duties, making 10-of-16 field goals (with a long of 43) and converting 43-of-45 point after attempts. He ranked sixth in the Association in scoring (6.67 points/game).
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.
