AUGUSTA, Ga. – Southeast Missouri's Zach Haynes is among 10 semifinalists for the 2021 FCS Punter of the Year Award. The semifinalists were chosen from an initial field of 37 candidates nominated for the honor.
 
A native of Potosi, Missouri, Haynes repeated as a First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection this season. He ranked third in the OVC with 41.2 yards per punt. His 76-yard punt vs. Eastern Illinois was the longest in the league and sixth-longest in the FCS. Haynes punted 66 times for 2,716 yards and dropped 24 of his kicks inside the 20-yard line.
 
All candidates were evaluated by the FCS Punter of the Year Award committee on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis was placed on net punting average, number of times a punt was downed or kicked out-of-bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.

A national voting body of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) sports information directors, conference representatives and sports writers will choose the winner from our top 10 semifinalists. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 13.
 
2021 FCS Punter of the Year Award Semifinalists
JT Bohlken, Illinois State
Brady Buell, Houston Baptist
Brian Buschini, Montana
Matthew Campbell, Citadel
Sam Clark, Sacramento State
Jack Colquhoun, Southern Illinois
Andrew Foster , Morehead State
Zach Haynes, Southeast Missouri
Brady Schutt, South Dakota
Daniel Whelan , UC Davis

About the FCS Punter of the Year Award
The Augusta Sports Council, also home to the Ray Guy Award (awarded to the best collegiate punter in the FBS), created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019 to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the FCS. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage and percentage of punts not returned with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.

About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) enriches the quality of life and economic well-being for the Augusta metropolitan area by supporting and attracting sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.