AUGUSTA, Ga. — Missouri State punter Grant Burkett (Sr., Joplin, Mo.) is one of 13 players selected Friday to the 2024 FCS Punter of the Year Watchlist, as announced by the Augusta Sports Council.
Burkett was a finalist for 2023 National Punter of the Year last season after earning All-America honors for the third straight season. He is a Stats Perform Preseason All-America third-team selection this year, after earning Preseason All-MVFC laurels as well.
Burkett is also a four-time All-MVFC selection who averaged 44.0 yards per punt last season with 11 kicks of 50 yards or more. His punting average led the MVFC and was good enough to finish seventh nationally.
The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be announced Dec. 16 based on a national voting body which consists of FCS sports information directors and national sports writers.
The 2024 Preseason Watchlist includes:
Aaron Trusler, Richmond
Brendan Hall, Montana State
Caleb Brickhouse, North Carolina A&T
Clayton Taylor, Stony Brook
Grant Burkett, Missouri State
Kaedin Steindorf, North Dakota State
Logan Leftrick, Southeast Missouri State
Luke Schabel, Monmouth
Matt Noll, Jackson State
Shane Messenger, Morgan State
Shelby Pruett, Colgate
Trey Wilhoit, FAMU
Will Lynch, LIU
The 13 candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Championship Series (FCS) punters. The 2024 watchlist was compiled based on the 2023 FCS Punter of the Year watchlist, the 2023 all-conference teams, and the 2023 All-American Teams.
MSU second-year head coach Ryan Beard returns 19 offensive and defensive starters from a year ago when the Bears ended the 2023 campaign ranked No. 5 nationally in passing offense and put together a memorable November surge to end the season.
Missouri State opens its 2024 season on August 31 at Montana with club’s home opener salted for Saturday, Sept. 14 against Lindenwood.
Single-game tickets for all five MoState home games are on sale now by calling (417) 836-7678 or visiting MissouriStateBears.com/tickets.
