Bale Named to 2025 Ray Guy Award Watch List

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas punter Devin Bale has been named to the watch list for the 2025 Ray Guy Award, the Augusta Sports Council announced Friday.

The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia, native and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. Among the statistics used to determine the winner of the Ray Guy Award each year are total yards, net punting average, punts downed or kicked out of bounds inside the 20-yard line and net punting average. The winner must also display leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team’s success.

Bale was just one of 15 FBS punters selected to the initial watch list. He was one of five SEC punters featured, joining Brett Thorson (Georgia), Jack Bouwmeester (Texas), Jacob Ulrich (Oklahoma) and Tyler White (Texas A&M). The number of eligible candidates for the award will grow when the award opens nominations, and candidates will be added to the watch list throughout the season.

Bale made an immediate impact during his first season as a Razorback in 2024. He punted 41 times for 1,855 yards while registering a 45.2-yard punting average with 11 punts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line and 11 punts of 50+ yards. His 45.2-yard punting average would have ranked in the top 15 nationally if he had enough punts to qualify. Bale had punts downed at the 2-yard line and 1-yard line, respectively, against LSU (Oct. 19) and Oklahoma State (Sept. 7) during the 2024 season while registering a season-long 66-yard punt during a 19-14 win over No. 4 Tennessee (Oct. 5).

The voting body, comprised of FBS sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will cast ballots to select the nation’s top punter, announced live during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN in December.

Arkansas opened fall camp today. The Razorbacks kick off the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, when they welcome Alabama A&M to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for a 3:15 p.m. matchup on SEC Network.

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