Arkansas punter Devin Bale has been included on the watch list for the 2025 Ray Guy Award, according to an announcement by the Augusta Sports Council.
The Ray Guy Award was established in 2000 by the Augusta Sports Council to recognize outstanding collegiate punters. The award is named after Ray Guy, a native of Thomson, Georgia, and a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame. Selection criteria include total yards, net punting average, punts placed inside the 20-yard line or out of bounds, as well as leadership qualities and positive contributions to team success.
Bale is one of only 15 FBS punters named to this year’s initial watch list. He is also among five SEC players selected alongside Brett Thorson (Georgia), Jack Bouwmeester (Texas), Jacob Ulrich (Oklahoma), and Tyler White (Texas A&M). The pool of candidates may expand throughout the season as nominations open and additional players are added.
During his first season with Arkansas in 2024, Bale punted 41 times for a total of 1,855 yards. He averaged 45.2 yards per punt, had 11 punts downed inside opponents’ 20-yard lines, and delivered 11 punts over 50 yards. His average would have ranked him in the national top fifteen if he had met qualification requirements. Notable performances included punts downed at the two- and one-yard lines against LSU and Oklahoma State respectively last season, as well as a season-long punt of 66 yards during Arkansas’s win over Tennessee.
The winner will be chosen by a panel consisting of FBS sports information directors, media members, and previous Ray Guy Award recipients. The announcement will be made live during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards in December.
Arkansas began fall camp today ahead of its opening game for the 2025 season on August 30 against Alabama A&M at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m., with coverage on SEC Network.
For ticket information regarding Arkansas football games, fans can contact the Razorback Ticket Center at 479.575.5151 or visit their website.
