“Don’t let ‘em tease you too much, son. Remember, you’re the mascot, not the placekicker.” -- Hank Hill, to son Bobby.
Mike Judge’s pearl of wisdom notwithstanding, both the Lou Groza Award and the Ray Guy Award released their preseason watch lists Thursday afternoon.
Just five punters make up the Ray Guy Awards watch list -- Bryan Anger (Sr.), California; Drew Butler (Sr.), Georgia; Kyle Martens (Sr.), Rice; Quinn Sharp (Jr.), Oklahoma State; and Dawson Zimmerman (Sr.), Clemson.
Butler was one of three finalists for the 2010 award that ultimately went to Florida’s Chas Henry. The award has been given annually since 2000 to the nation’s top punter and is named in honor of Ray Guy, the former Southern Miss All-American and All-Pro member of the Oakland Raiders.
The Lou Groza Award, on the other hand, consists of 30 placekickers from across the country.
Southern Miss’ Danny Hrapmann was a finalist for the 2010 award and made this year’s initial list, while a handful of 2010 semifinalists -- Michigan State’s Dan Conroy, Illinois’ Derek Dimke, Fresno State’s Kevin Goessling, Florida State’s Dustin Hopkins, Baylor’s Aaron Jones, Missouri’s Grant Ressel, Duke’s Will Snyderwine and Georgia’s Blair Walsh -- made the 2011 preseason cut as well.
The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns legend Lou Groza and has been handed out every year since 1992. Oklahoma State’s Dan Bailey was the 2010 winner.
For the complete Groza watch list, click HERE.