Burkett Named to Athlon Preseason All-America Squad

PHILADELPHIA — Missouri State punter Grant Burkett has been named to the Athlon FCS Preseason All-America Team, the publication announced Monday (June 13).
 
A native of Joplin, Burkett is coming off a consensus All-America season in 2021 where he ranked second in the nation with a school-record punting average of 46.2 per attempt, while helping the Bears rank second nationally as a team in net punting (42.81). He had 16 punts of 50 yards or better with 15 attempts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

In addition to being an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first-team selection, Burkett made four FCS All-America teams in 2021, including second-team selections by the AFCA, STATS Perform and Hero Sports, and a third-team selection by the Associated Press. Hero Sports also recognized Burkett on its 2021 Freshman All-America Team, which includes all players with three years of eligibility remaining.

Burkett is one of eight players from the Missouri Valley Football Conference named to the 2022 Athlon Preseason All-America Team, which includes just 27 individuals.