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ATLANTA — Utah punter Tom Hackett won the Ray Guy Award on Thursday night, becoming the third-ever punter in college football history to win the award twice in his career and the second to win in consecutive seasons.
Hackett is the only player in Utah and Pac-12 history to win the award, given annually to the nation's top punter.
Hackett received the award during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN, which he attended with Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham and several family members from his native Melbourne, Australia. He was also honored as a member of the Walter Camp All-American first team during the broadcast.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Hackett averages 47.8 yards per punt that ranks third in the NCAA, helping the Utes top the nation in net punting at 43.67 yards. The senior had 24-of-55 of his punts down inside the 20-yard line, 11 inside the 10-yard line and two inside the 5-yard line in helping the Utes to a 9-3 overall record and tied for first place in the Pac 12 South.
The two-time Walter Camp All-American becomes the first player in Utah history to earn a spot on the list in back-to-back seasons, and he joins former Utes Jordan Gross, Louie Sakoda, Shaky Smithson, Star Lotulelei and Nate Orchard named to the honor in school history.
