Tom Hutton Named to Ray Guy Award Watch List

(Robert Allen of Pokew Report contributed to this story.)

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State punter Tom Hutton is one of 48 FBS players on the watch list for the 2022 Ray Guy Award, announced Wednesday by the Augusta Sports Council. Hutton, who is entering his fourth season as OSU’s starting punter, is one of six players from the Big 12 on the watch list for the honor, which is presented annually to the top punter in the FBS.

The 32-year-old senior, who has excelled at punting accuracy and pinning opponents deep in their own territory throughout his career, Hutton was an honorable mention for the 2021 Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He is also a three-time honorable mention selection to the all-conference team. He is a product of the Pro Kick Australia program that has sent many punters and kickers to major college football and the NFL. 

Last season, he was the key factor again in making it nearly impossible for opponents to return punts, as the Cowboys gave up a season average of just 0.8 yards per return to rank No. 2 in the FBS and lead the Big 12. He also made it difficult for opponent to field punts, as the Cowboys recovered four dropped punts from opponents on the season.

Hutton’s 2021 numbers included 72 punts for an average of 42.4 yards to rank third in the Big 12. Only 20 of his punts warranted an attempted return by opponents, who gained a combined total of 16 yards with a long return of eight yards. Six of his punts last season traveled 50 yards are longer, with a long of 60 yards at Texas. In addition to his duties as a punter, Hutton has also held without incident on OSU’s place kicks throughout his career.

A lefty, with some wicked tricks, Hutton can really mess with the minds of returners including his own teammate in practice in Brennan Presley.

"Tom [tries to mess with me], I can't lie,” Presley said at Big 12 Football Media Days. “Because he's from Australia, so he gives me some good looks, but he'll also let me know when he's about to send me up one that's tricky, like he'll give me a helicopter one, or one that spins a different direction than I've ever seen. So he can do a lot of like trick ones, so it kind of helps me. I'm not saying anybody is going to do that in games — I hope not. But he just gives me different looks so I'm prepared."

The Ray Guy Award committee will announce 10 semifinalists for the award November 8, and a national body of FBS sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then vote for three finalists to be announced on November 18. The voting body will then select the award winner, who will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN in December.

Oklahoma State is scheduled to open the 2022 season September 1 when it faces Central Michigan at Boone Pickens Stadium, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT on FS1.