Kroeger Named AFCA Second Team All-America

University of South Carolina punter Kai Kroeger was named second-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), it was announced today.

Kroeger, 6-4, 207-pound junior from Lake Forest, Ill., averaged 46.8-yards per punt, tops in the SEC, second in the country and the second-best mark in school history. Of his 52 punts, 17 traveled 50 or more yards, including a long of 79, the third-longest in FBS in 2022. Twenty-seven of his punts (52 percent) were spotted inside the 20-yard line.

A semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, Kroeger was previously tabbed first-team All-America by The Athletic and by ESPN, and was a Walter Camp second-team All-American. He was named to the All-SEC first team by the AP, the league’s 14 coaches and USA TODAY. In addition, he was recognized as the Jim Carlen Most Valuable Player for Special Teams at the team’s Senior Banquet.

Kroeger and the Gamecocks (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 30, when they travel to Jacksonville, Fla. to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4) in the 78th edition of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Game time is set for 3:30 pm ET and the contest will be televised nationally on ESPN.