Although the Golden Eagles sit at 1-5 on the season, players like Drew Lawson and Bryce Lofton were recently named to award watchlists. While Lawson, a center, is in the running for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, his teammate, Lofton, a punter, is up for the Ray Guy Award.
Lawson is a former walk-on from Madison, Alabama who worked his way up to the starting center position. He was nominated for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award based on his ability to demonstrate a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. The Witten award consists of a group that includes 52 of the nation’s top leaders in college football, where 20 semi finalists will be announced on October 22. Three finalists will be named for the award on Dec. 16. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 12, 2025.
Lofton, named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, has averaged 43.5 yards per punt through the first few games, which is the 30th best average in the nation. He had a season-high punt of 55 yards with a career long punt of 57 yards at Louisiana last year.
The winners of the Ray Guy Award, named after the legendary Southern Miss and Oakland Raiders punter, will be announced at the end of the 2024 Collegiate Football season.
