November 05, 2026 | Football
AUGUSTA, Ga. โ Texas Tech's Will Karoll was named to the 2026 Ray Guy Award Midseason Watch List, the Augusta Sports Council announced Thursday. The Ray Guy Award honors the nation's top collegiate punter in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
The Red Raider senior is one of 63 candidates named to the Ray Guy Award Midseason Watch List, narrowed from a field of 100 nominees.
Karoll is a four-time honoree this season on "Ray's 8," a weekly honor roll presented by the Ray Guy Award. Karoll was recognized for his performances in Week 2 at Oregon State (seven attempts, 44.4-yard average), Week 4 versus Sam Houston (four attempts, 48.8-yard average), Week 5 at Colorado (three attempts, 55.7-yard average), and Week 9 versus Arizona (four attempts, 40.5-yard average). Of the eight individuals honored for "Ray's 8" in Week 5, Karoll was singled out and named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week for that performance.ย
Karoll owns a 47.1-yard average through eight games on 27 attempts. His current punting average would rank second in Texas Tech single-season history, behind the 48.2-yard average set by current New York Jets punter Austin McNamara in 2021. He's led Texas Tech to a 45.41 net punting average, which ranks fourth in the FBS following Week 10.
Of his 27 attempts, 13 have landed inside the 20-yard line, including five inside the 10. Karoll has a long of 67 yards, with 11 attempts traveling 50 yards or more. Only three of his 27 attempts have been returned by opponents, with those returns averaging 8.3 yards for a combined 25 yards.
Karoll is a three-time Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week this season and was named a midseason All-American by three organizations: The Athletic, the Associated Press and CBS Sports.
The Ray Guy Award Committee will determine 10 semifinalists for the award, to be announced Nov. 13. Those 10 will be narrowed to three finalists on Nov. 24 by a national voting body consisting of FBS sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners. Following the announcement of the finalists, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation's top punter. The winner will be announced Dec. 11 live during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The Red Raider senior is one of 63 candidates named to the Ray Guy Award Midseason Watch List, narrowed from a field of 100 nominees.
Karoll is a four-time honoree this season on "Ray's 8," a weekly honor roll presented by the Ray Guy Award. Karoll was recognized for his performances in Week 2 at Oregon State (seven attempts, 44.4-yard average), Week 4 versus Sam Houston (four attempts, 48.8-yard average), Week 5 at Colorado (three attempts, 55.7-yard average), and Week 9 versus Arizona (four attempts, 40.5-yard average). Of the eight individuals honored for "Ray's 8" in Week 5, Karoll was singled out and named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week for that performance.ย
Karoll owns a 47.1-yard average through eight games on 27 attempts. His current punting average would rank second in Texas Tech single-season history, behind the 48.2-yard average set by current New York Jets punter Austin McNamara in 2021. He's led Texas Tech to a 45.41 net punting average, which ranks fourth in the FBS following Week 10.
Of his 27 attempts, 13 have landed inside the 20-yard line, including five inside the 10. Karoll has a long of 67 yards, with 11 attempts traveling 50 yards or more. Only three of his 27 attempts have been returned by opponents, with those returns averaging 8.3 yards for a combined 25 yards.
Karoll is a three-time Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week this season and was named a midseason All-American by three organizations: The Athletic, the Associated Press and CBS Sports.
The Ray Guy Award Committee will determine 10 semifinalists for the award, to be announced Nov. 13. Those 10 will be narrowed to three finalists on Nov. 24 by a national voting body consisting of FBS sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners. Following the announcement of the finalists, the voting body will cast ballots again to select the nation's top punter. The winner will be announced Dec. 11 live during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
Players Mentioned
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