Another Geelong footballer is in line to win a prestigious American college football award.
Former St Joseph’s footballer Cameron Johnston is hoping to follow in the boot-steps of fellow Aussie rules player Tom Hornsey.
Hornsey won the Ray Guy Award as the top punter in US college football last year and Johnston has been cited as one of 10 semi-finalists for the award this season.
The Ohio State junior punter ranks among the top 10 punters in the nation and leads the Big Ten Conference with his 44.9-yard average.
An announcement from Ohio State said Johnston was a key weapon in the team’s success so far this season.
“He continues to swing field position toward the undefeated Buckeyes’ favour on a weekly basis,” the announcement said.
“Johnston was named the Big Ten Conference special team’s player of the week after he averaged 51.5 yards on his four punts versus Western Michigan, including a season-long 67-yarder.”
Johnston’s success revolves around his ability to punt the ball close to the opponent’s goal line, making it significantly more difficult for opponents.
Johnston has 74 punts downed inside the 20 yard line and is certain to break the school record of 78.
The semi-finalists, chosen from a field of 79 candidates, were evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team.
Particular emphasis was placed on the punter’s net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
A national voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision coaches, sports information directors, national media and former Ray Guy Award winners will decide three award finalists. Voters will then cast a second round of ballots to decide the winner.
The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on the College Football Awards live on 10 December on cable sports channel ESPN.
However, winning the award does not mean success in professional sports, as Hornsey has discovered.
Hornsey missed out on being selected in the seven rounds of the NFL draft despite his standout career with the University of Memphis.
Hornsey trialled with a number of National Football League teams, including doing a pre-season with the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived in September.
