After starting the week with offensive and defensive players, specialists received some love on Thursday as candidates for both Ray Guy and Lou Groza preseason watch lists were announced.
Alabama’s JK Scott was one of 28 punters named to the Ray Guy award watch list—honor presented annually to the nation’s top punter, according to the Augusta (Ga.) Sports Council.
Scott, a two-year starter, averaged 44.2 yards per punt in 2015.
The 6-foot-5, 198-pound junior pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line on 25 of 70 attempts, with his longest boot traveling 59 yards. Scott earned special teams player of the week honors twice from UA’s coaching staff against Arkansas and Tennessee. He was a first team All-American and Freshman All-American selection by various media outlets as a freshman in 2014, after posting 48.0 yards a punt (led nation) and dropping 31 of his 55 attempts (56.4 percent) inside the 20-yard line.
Crimson Tide kicker Adam Griffith was one of 30 kickers named to the Lou Groza award watch list—honor presented to the nation’s top kicker, per the Palm Beach (Fla.) County Sports Commission.
Griffith, a two-year starter and 2015 second team All-SEC selection, has made 36 of 54 field goal attempts (66.7 percent) in 36 career games. He’s nailed 120 of 121 extra points, while having a career average of 63.2 yards on kickoffs with 55 touchbacks. His output of 228 career points ranks him sixth in school history and his 36 made field goals have him seventh. Griffith’s 55-yard try against LSU in 2015, which he made, stands as the second longest attempt in school history.
Winners for both Ray Guy and Lou Groza awards will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag
