BALTIMORE, Md. (August 5, 2024) -- Morgan State sophomore Shane Messenger has earned a place on the prestigious preseason watch list for the 2024 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Punter of the Year Award. This esteemed honor recognizes the exceptional talent and performance of the nation's top punters in the FCS.
As one of just 13 players selected for the preseason watch list, Messenger stands out among a pool of highly skilled punters. His consistent ability to execute precise and long-distance punts has earned him recognition as one of the most promising punters in the FCS.
The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be determined by the FCS Punter of the Year Award national voting body which consists of FCS sports information directors and national sports writers.
In his inaugural season as a collegiate athlete, Messenger quickly established himself as a formidable punter in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Alexandria, Va. native averaged 34.2 yards on 46 punts, accumulating a total of 1,574 yards. Messenger's consistency was highlighted by his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory, with 15 punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Additionally, he showcased his touch and control, placing 11 punts within fair-catch range, including two impressive punts that traveled over 50 yards.
Messenger's performance earned him the distinction of finishing the season ranked sixth in the MEAC for punting, solidifying his status as a rising star in the conference.
About the FCS Punter of the Year Award
The Augusta Sports Council, also home to the Ray Guy Award (awarded to the best collegiate punter in the FBS), created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019 to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the FCS. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponent's 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.
About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) supports the many facets of local, national, and international sporting events that contribute to our community's quality of life and economic development. To learn more, visit augustasportscouncil.org.
2024 Preseason Watchlist
Shane Messenger, Morgan State
Aaron Trusler, Richmond
Brendan Hall, Montana State
Caleb Brickhouse, North Carolina A&T
Clayton Taylor, Stony Brook
Grant Burkett, Missouri State
Kaedin Steindorf, North Dakota State
Logan Leftrick, Southeast Missouri
Luke Schabel, Monmouth
Matt Noll, Jackson State
Shelby Pruett, Colgate
Trey Wilhoit, FAMU
Will Lynch, LIU
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
