CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW): Virginia kicker Will Bettridge and punter Daniel Sparks have been named preseason watchlist selections for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker and Ray Guy Awards, respectively, which honor college football’s top kicker and punter.
Bettridge finished the 2023 season 18-for-21 on field goal attempts and 31-for-31 on PAT attempts.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, Nov.19.
Sparks has received attention for the Ray Guy Award by the Augusta Sports Council 3 years in a row.
Voted one of five team captains at the end of last year, Sparks averaged nearly 43 yards per punt in 2023 and finished tied for 11th among all FBS punters in total attempts (64).
In the Cavaliers’ win at North Carolina last season, Sparks averaged 50.2 yards on five punts. He also recorded a career-long 70-yard punt at Boston College.
The complete list of candidates will be released on Nov. 6. In mid-November, the Ray Guy Award committee meets to select the ten semifinalists, who will be announced on Nov. 15
Both the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and the Ray Guy Award will be announced during ESPN’s broadcast of the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.
