CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Three Atlantic Coast Conference punters have been named to the 2026 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List, the Augusta Sports Council announced Friday.
Representing the ACC on the preseason watch list are Florida State’s Daniel Hughes, Miami’s Dylan Joyce and Virginia’s Daniel Sparks.
Hughes enters the 2026 season with previous recognition from the Ray Guy Award, having been selected as a semifinalist for the honor.
Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Southern Miss standout, the Ray Guy Award annually recognizes the nation’s top collegiate punter in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
The 2026 preseason watch list was compiled based on previous Ray Guy Award semifinalists, 2025 All-America and All-Conference selections, top-performing punters and 2026 preseason All-America and All-Conference selections.
2026 Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List – ACC Selections
- Daniel Hughes, Sr., P, Florida State
- Dylan Joyce, Sr., P, Miami
- Daniel Sparks, 7th, P, Virginia
The preseason watch list is not a final list of candidates, as the eventual Ray Guy Award winner is not required to appear on the preseason list. The candidate pool will expand when nominations open during the season.
A final watch list will be announced in early November before the Ray Guy Award committee selects 10 semifinalists in mid-November. A national voting body consisting of FBS sports information directors, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will then select three finalists, who will be announced in late November.
The winner of the 2026 Ray Guy Award will be announced live on ESPN during
The Home Depot College Football Awards in December.