AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta Sports Council is pleased to announce Aidan Laros of the University of Tennessee at Martin as the 2023 FCS Punter of the Year Award winner. He was chosen from a field of 10 semifinalists.
The winner was determined by the FCS Punter of the Year Award national voting body which consists of FCS sports information directors as well as national sports writers. 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.
The Cape Town, South Africa native led the country in punting average and has been tabbed a consensus first team All-American along with Big South-OVC Special Teams Player of the Year. In his first year at UT Martin, he led the FCS in punting and set a new program record by averaging 47.2 yards per attempt while also posting a net average was 41.48 yards. He booted 18 punts of 50 yards or more – including setting season-longs of 70 yards on two occasions. Additionally, 16 of his punts ended up inside opponent’s 20-yard line and with only seven touchbacks.
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.
