Colorado's Mark Vassett named to Ray Guy Award watch list

Another preseason honor for the Buffaloes

Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colorado Buffaloes Punter Mark Vassett was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, per an announcement on Wednesday.

The Louisville transfer spent the last two seasons with the Cardinals, averaging 43.2 yards per punt (18th, FBS). He was an original three-star recruit from Australia's famed ProKick. The same academy produced former CU kicker James Stefanou, along with many NFL products.

At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Vassett came to CU after racking up 100 punts with a long of 73 yards, six touchbacks, 33 fair catches, 36 inside the 20, and 16 of those 50-plus yards. He earned honorable mention All-ACC in 2022 and left as Louisville's all-time punt leader.

Colorado's elder statesman, who turns 27 in December, isn't the oldest in FBS, with East Carolina punter Luke Larsen taking the cake having four years on Vassett. Ironically, both Vassett and Larsen came from the land "Down Under" and spent time at Australia's ProKick.

The Ray Guy Award recognizes the best punter in college football. The pre-season watch list features 50 candidates across all FBS conferences. A winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN in December 2023.