College football’s 15 best punters of 2025

Field position plays a huge part in today’s game, and punters are vital.

They are the unsung heroes who play a huge role in pinning opponents deep in their territory. Making the opposing offense navigate long drives, and putting the defense at an advantage is the key to success. Most of the time it leads to favorable matchups, and bails out mistakes made by the offense. Elite punters also can dictate the flow of the game.

These 15 studs put together stellar campaigns in last season, and are looking to pick up from where they left off this fall.

15. Caleb Junko, Pittsburgh: The 22-year old has played in every game for the Panthers over the past two seasons. Last year Junko increased his punting average by 1.4 yards from 2023. His 43.69 average ranked 27th in the FBS. Junko landed 16 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Not to mention 16 of his balls went for 50-plus yards. Junko’s 67-yard punt at Louisville was a season-long. The Ohio native punted seven times against Clemson, which was a season-high. Only three of his punts resulted in a touchback. If Junko can increase punting average for a second-straight season, he’ll be due for an All-ACC campaign.

14. Jackson Ross, Tennessee: The Australian takes care of business on the field, and in the classroom. Ross started his career on fire, and made the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2023. He also made the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times. Ross finished 25th nationally in net punting average last season. The former two-star prospect landed 21 punts inside the 20-yard line. Ross posted 10 punts of 50-plus yards. Not to mention he posted a season-high, eight punts, including a season-long, 57-yarder in the victory at Oklahoma. Ross even posted seven punts apiece against Arkansas, Florida and Ohio State.

13. Kade Reynoldson, Duke: The former two-star prospect played in all 13 games, finished 26h in the FBS in punting average, and was Honorable Mention All-ACC last season. Reynoldson landed a jaw-dropping, 27 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. He even booted 17 balls for 50-plus yards. Only six of his punts resulted in a touchback. Reynoldson recorded a season-high, eight punts in the victory over Florida State. His 63-yard punt in the win at NC State was a season-long. Reynoldson posted seven punts apiece against Connecticut and North Carolina. The Australian is a secret weapon for Manny Diaz.

12. Keelan Crimmins, Illinois: The 24-year old played in all 12 games at Purdue last season, booted 64 balls and earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Crimmins averaged 44.86 yards per punt, which ranked 13th nationally. It was also second-best in a single-season for the Boilermakers. He landed 17 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Not to mention 14 of his punts went for 50-plus yards. Crimmins generated a season-high, 10 punts, including a season-long, 64-yarder against Notre Dame. The former two-star prospect even recorded nine putns against Indiana, and eight against Penn State.

11. Bryce McFerson, Maryland: The North Carolina native appeared in all 12 games, and made an impact for the Terrapins last season. McFerson ranked 12th in the FBS, and second in the Big Ten in net punting average. He even landed 21 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. McFerson posted seven punts, including a season-long, 54-yarder against Iowa. The former three-star prospect recorded seven punts, including a career-high, four for 50-plus yards against Indiana. McFerson will likely have a bigger role with Maryland this fall, if the offense struggles to score points again.

10. John Henderson, Bowling Green: The Californian was one of 10 Ray Guy Award semifinalists last season, despite averaging 40.8 yards per punt. Henderson capped off the year with second-team, All-MAC honors for his heroics in field position. He even earned Academic All-MAC for his success in the classroom. Henderson landed 21 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Not to mention six of his balls went for 50-plus yards. His 66-yard punt in the victory at Central Michigan was a season-long. Henderson is one of the most underrated kickers out of the Group of Five approaching the 2025 season.

9. Luke Freer, Air Force: The Alabama native has started 13 games over the past two seasons for the Falcons. Freer averaged a jaw-dropping, 47.45 yards per punt in 2024, and even capped off the year with second-team, All-MWC honors. He landed 10 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. Freer booted 14 balls for 50-plus yards. Only three of his punts resulted in a touchback. Freer’s seven punts against San Jose State were a season-high, including a season-long, 72-yarder. Air Force relies heavily on the run, so field position is crucial, and Freer is a natural at pinning opponents deep.

8. Tyler White, Texas A&M: The Texas native played in all 13 games last season, and made the SEC All-Freshman Team. White was even one of 10 Ray Guy Award Semifinalists for his heroics in field position. He averaged 44.87 yards per punt. White landed a jaw-dropping, 25 balls inside the 20-yard line. Not to mention 12 of his punts went for 50-plus yards. White’s nine punts in the victory over Arkansas were a season-high. His 69-yard punt against Texas was a season-long. White has the leg power to push for an All-SEC campaign, but he’ll probably have less opportunities with an improved offense.

7. Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse: The California native is experienced, and productive. Stonehouse finished with third-team, All-ACC honors in 2023. He earned Honorable Mention All-ACC last year. After all, Stonehouse averaged 45.7 yards per punt, which set a single-season, program record. He landed 11 of his balls inside the 20-yard line. Stonehouse posted 10 punts of 50-plus yards.  Only three of his punts resulted in a touchback. His 64-yard punt in the victory over Miami was a season-long. Stonehouse’s six punts against Stanford were a season-high. Now he’s primed to be the ACC’s top punter.

6. Atticus Bertrams, Wisconsin: The former two-star prospect is coming off a stellar campaign with the Badgers. Bertrams averaged 45.29 yards per punt, which ranked first in the Big Ten, and 10th in the FBS.  He landed 20 balls inside the 20-yard line, which ranked fourth in the conference. Bertrams even boosted his punting average by four yards from 2023. None of his punts were blocked. The Australian posted a season-high, eight punts against Minnesota, and landed three of those inside the 20-yard line. His 74-yard bomb at USC was a season-long. Bertrams landed three balls inside the 20-yard line against the Trojans too.

5. Ryan Eckley, Michigan State: The Florida native led the conference in net punting in 2024, and earned second-team, All-Big Ten honors. Eckley averaged a jaw-dropping, 47.9 yards per punt, which was the third-most in a single-season in school history. He finished second in the league with 20 punts of 50-plus yards. Eckley landed six balls inside the 20-yard line, and only four of his punts resulted in a touchback. His 61-yard punt in the victory at Maryland was a season-long. Eckley posted six punts apiece against Florida Atlantic, Washington and Illinois. He’s arguably one of the best punters in the Power Four.

4. Jack Bouwmeester, Texas: The former three-star prospect punted in all 12 games for Utah last season, and was even the holder on field goal and extra point attempts. Bouwmeester booted the ball 60 times, and capped off the year with second-team, All-Big 12 honors. After all, he averaged 44.7 yards per per punt, which led the conference, and ranked 17th nationally. Not to mention 13 of his punts went for 50-plus yards. Only four of his punts resulted in a touchback, and none were blocked. Bouwmeester landed 23 punts inside the 20-yard line, including five against BYU. He’ll make an instant impact in the SEC.

3. Rhys Dakin, Iowa: The former three-star prospect played in all 13 games, and generated 64 punts last season. Dakin even capped off the year with second-team, All-Big Ten honors. After all, he’s the Hawkeyes’ best punter since Ray Guy Award winner Tory Taylor. Dakin averaged 44.1 yards per punt, which ranked third in the conference, and 24th nationally in the FBS. He landed a jaw-dropping, 29 of his balls inside the 20-yard line. The Australian booted a season-long, 61-yarder in the victory over Washington. Dakin recorded nine punts apiece against Iowa State and Nebraska, and had eight against Northwestern.

2. Palmer Williams, Baylor: The North Carolina native averaged a jaw-dropping, 49.35 yards on 43 punts for the Bears last season. Williams earned first-team, All-Big 12 honors for his heroics in field position. He even took care of business in the classroom, and earned Academic All-Big 12. Not to mention 22 of his punts went for 50-plus yards. Williams landed 15 balls inside the 20-yard line. Only five of his punts resulted in a touchback. His 79-yard punt at Utah was a season-long. The former three-star prospect will likely be one of the early favorites for the Ray Guy Award, with his craft and leg power.

1. Brett Thorson, Georgia: The 23-year old was one of three Ray Guy Award finalists last season. Thorson even earned first-team, AP All-SEC, and second-team, AP All-America honors. After all, he increased his punting average by 4.2 yards from 2023. Thorson landed 22 of his balls inside the 20-yard line. He even had 18 of his punts go for 50-plus yards. Only five of his punts resulted in a touchback, and none were blocked. The Australian posted a season-high, 60-yarder in the victory over Texas in the SEC Championship Game. Thorson is poised for a monster campaign, and will be a dangerous weapon for Coach Kirby Smart.