Augusta, Ga. -- Missouri State punter Grant Burkett (So., Joplin, Mo.) has been named to the 2022 FCS Punter of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, as announced Monday (Aug. 1) by the Augusta Sports Council.
 
The list of 22 candidates was compiled based on last season's watch list, all-conference squads and All-America teams, as well as the 2022 preseason all-conference teams. 

Burkett ranked second in the nation with a school-record punting average of 46.2 per attempt last season, while helping the Bears rank second nationally as a team in net punting (42.81). He had 16 punts of 50 yards or better with 15 attempts downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. In addition to being an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first-team selection, Burkett made four FCS All-America teams in 2021, including second-team selections by the AFCA, STATS Perform and Hero Sports, and a third-team selection by the Associated Press. 

He was also announced Monday as a STATS Perform Preseason All-America first-team selection.

The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be voted on by the FCS Punter of the Year Award/Ray Guy Award Committee and will be announced after regular-season play commences.