Southern Miss punter Bryce Lofton has been named a finalist for the prestigious Ray Guy Award, which recognizes the top collegiate punter in the nation. The award, named after NFL Hall of Famer and Southern Miss alumnus Ray Guy, honors punters who demonstrate excellence, consistency, and impact on the field.
Lofton, a graduate student, has been a key player for Southern Miss this season, accumulating nearly 2,000 punt yards and averaging 44.39 yards on 44 punts. With the team’s offense struggling, Lofton’s ability to shift field position has been vital to the team’s strategy.
“My first reaction to being named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award was exciting,” Lofton said. “Being at the alma mater of Ray Guy, Southern Miss holds a lot of weight at the punter position. To be a finalist was one of my goals at the beginning of the year.”
Ray Guy, considered one of the greatest punters in NFL history, played for the Oakland Raiders and was the first punter ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. His legacy is celebrated through the Ray Guy Award, which has been presented annually since 2000.
Despite the team’s struggles, Lofton’s standout season has drawn attention. His calm approach to the game, focusing on mental preparation over physical, has set him apart.
“At this level, I think the preparation is already there due to competition,” Lofton said. “I think the mental is more important than the physical. Punting is one of the only positions where you have to train like it means everything, but on the field, you have to not care.”
As the season winds down, Lofton remains focused on his performance, hoping to bring the Ray Guy Award back to Southern Miss, where Guy’s legacy looms large.
