Ray Guy Award watch list 2017: 5 favorites to win
By John Buhler
Johnny Townsend
Punter, Florida Gators
Is anybody going to knock down the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC? Maybe the third time is the charm for the Florida Gators should they meet the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship again in 2017? The Gators still have issues at quarterback, but return an excellent team that could win the SEC East for a third year in a row.
Florida will be swarming on defense per usual and have a pair of great offensive weapons in running back Jordan Scarlett and wide receiver Antonio Callaway. However, there is one guy on the Gators that is most excellent we can’t overlook any longer. They have a terrific punter in Johnny Townsend.
Some feel that he got burned in the 2016 Ray Guy Award race by eventual winner Mitch Wishnowsky of the Utah Utes. Townsend’s numbers were more impressive than Wishnowsky’s last year, but the Utes were definitely the better team over the Gators in 2016. Utah has had a Ray Guy winner in each of the last three seasons.
Florida will have to win with defense again this season. Scarlett will definitely pound the rock to help ease along whomever starts under center for the Gators. Winning field position will be key for the Gators in the quest to win the SEC in Atlanta. Townsend has to play a big part in that. He was in the mix last year and he wants this award bad in 2017.