Oct. 30, 2015

University of South Carolina junior punter Sean Kelly is among 79 candidates nominated for the 2015 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter, it was announced today.

Kelly, a 5-10, 189-pounder from Oakland, Fla ranks seventh in the SEC in punting with a 42.2-yard average. He has placed 14 inside the 20, the league’s second-highest mark, with only two touchbacks. He had a 60-yard boot against North Carolina, the Gamecocks’ first punt of 60 yards or more since 2011 when Joey Scribner-Howard launched a 60-yarder at Mississippi State. A former two-year starter at Florida Atlantic, Kelly has punted 29 times this season with five boots over 50 yards, and has a net punting average of 39.8, sixth in the league.

The list will be narrowed to ten semifinalists to be announced on November 13. Following the semifinalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on November 23. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner.

The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards, Thursday, December 10, at 7pm.