Kyle Thompson (Kansas), Devin Anctil (K-State), Ryan Bujcevski (Texas), Austin McNamara (Texas Tech) and Josh Growden (West Virginia) have been named to the Ray Guy Award final candidate list.

Thompson ranks third in the Big 12 in yards per punt, averaging 44.3 yards per boot, the 25th best mark in the NCAA. Entering his junior season in Lawrence, Thompson was named Preseason All-Big 12 First Team by the Phil Steel Magazine and Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team by Athlon.

Anctil ranks 17th in the NCAA in yards per punt (45.0), an average that sits atop the Big 12. The senior was named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week earlier this season, helping the Wildcats to a victory over TCU. Anctil averaged 49.0 yards over seven punts, including kicks of 55, 60, and 62 yards in the win over the Horned Frogs.

Bukcevski has punted 26 times this season for a 40.5 average, the fifth best in the Conference. Of those 26 punts only two have resulted in touchbacks, while eight have downed opponents inside their 20-yard line.

McNamara leads all freshmen punters in the nation with a 44.7 yards per kick average, the 18th best in the NCAA and second highest in the Big 12. His career longest punt was a 66-yard kick at Oklahoma in which he finished with a career high 48.5 average.

Growden claimed the starting punter role in his first season in Morgantown, transferring to West Virginia from LSU. The senior ranks fourth in the Conference with a 41.5 yards per punt average, and holds a 100 percent passing percentage, completing his lone attempt on a trick play at Oklahoma.

The Ray Guy award is given out annually and recognizes the nation’s top punter. The award committee will narrow down the list to 10 semifinalists on Nov. 19. The award will be presented live during The Home Depot College Football Awards show airing on ESPN on Dec. 12.