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UCLA Football: Stefan Flintoft named to the Ray Guy Award watch list

By Mike Regalado

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 21: 'Joe Bruin' the mascot of the UCLA Bruins works the sidelines during a game against the Utah Utes during the first half of a college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 21: 'Joe Bruin' the mascot of the UCLA Bruins works the sidelines during a game against the Utah Utes during the first half of a college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA football team had another player make a preseason list as punter Stefan Flintoft has made the Ray Guy Award watch list.

Though the UCLA football team has not had a lot of players named to many watch lists this preseason, the Bruins that have been linked to these prestigious honors will make a huge impact in 2018.

RELATED: UCLA picked to finish 4th in the South Division at Pac-12 Media Day

UCLA can now add punter Stefan Flintoft to that list as he has been named to the Ray Guy Award watch list.

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The Ray Guy Award is given annually to the top punter in the nation and according to their site, RayGuyAward.com, “Over 20 statistical categories are reviewed, compared, discussed and deliberated for each nominee. Particular emphasis is placed on net punting average, percent of punts not returned, number of punts and percent of punts downed inside the 20-yard line.”

In addition, the award committee also looks at leadership, self-discipline and an impact on team success.

The interesting thing about Flintoft is that he started with the Bruins as a walk-on. Last season, his consistency and ability to help UCLA gain solid field position moved him into the starting spot and will retain that role under Chip Kelly in 2018.

Though the Bruins had trouble finding success collectively as a team last season, Flintoft did what he could to help field position on special teams. Last season he punted 56 times for 2,404 yards, averaging 42.9 yards per punt. He had nine punts go for over 50 yards with a long of 65. Of those 56, 21 were pinned inside the 20-yard line. On top of that, not a single kick was blocked.

That is pretty impressive for a guy that did not have a scholarship before last season.

Next: UCLA Football: 10 bold predictions for the 2018 season

With UCLA in transition, he will definitely help the Bruins with field position as the offense and defense get up to speed with Kelly in control. Congratulations, Stefan!