Alabama Crimson Tide’s redshirt senior punter, James Burnip, has been recognized for his exceptional performance on the field by being named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Ray Guy Award.
This prestigious award is given annually to the best punter in college football, and Burnip’s inclusion highlights his impressive career at Alabama. Despite the Crimson Tide’s storied football history, no Alabama player has ever won the Ray Guy Award.
Burnip has been a consistent performer for Alabama over the past three seasons, serving as the team’s starting punter. During this period, he has averaged 43.3 yards per punt, demonstrating his reliability and skill. His 2023 season was particularly noteworthy, where he achieved a career-high average of 47.5 yards per punt across 14 games.
Last season, Burnip punted 57 times, covering a total of 2,710 yards, with his longest punt reaching 67 yards. He also recorded 23 punts of 50 or more yards and downed 22 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, further showcasing his accuracy and power.
As Burnip teams up with kicker Graham Nicholson, Alabama’s special teams are expected to be among the best in the nation this upcoming season.
