Florida State University Athletics
Hughes Named to Ray Guy Award Watch List
8/14/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
TALLAHASSEE – Florida State senior punter Daniel Hughes earned a spot on the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list Friday. The Melbourne, Australia, native was a semifinalist for the award last season at New Mexico before transferring to Florida State in January.
The Ray Guy Award, presented by the Augusta Sports Council, is given to the top FBS punter. Hughes is one of six semifinalists from 2025 on the preseason watch list.
Hughes punted 41 times for 1,863 yards and an average of 45.4 yards for the Lobos in 2025, with 13 punts inside the 20-yard line and 13 punts traveling at least 50 yards. He was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection after New Mexico ranked 10th nationally with 43.02 net yards per punt. Hughes' career-long punt of 64 yards came at San Jose State last year.
Before New Mexico, Hughes played 10 games at City College of San Francisco in 2024, with 49 punts and a 37.3-yard average. He was an Australian Rules Football player for the Northern Bullants in 2021 and 2022.
The Ray Guy Award will be announced on December 10 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Hughes and the Seminoles will open the 2026 season August 29 at 7:00 p.m. against New Mexico State inside Doak Campbell Stadium.
Preseason Honors
7/20 – Duce Robinson – Good Works Team Nominee
7/29 – Duce Robinson – Preseason All-ACC
8/3 – Duce Robinson – Maxwell Award Watch List
8/6 – Duce Robinson – Sporting News Preseason All-American Second Team
8/7 – Gabe Panikowski – Groza Award Watch List
8/11 – Duce Robinson – Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
8/14 – Daniel Hughes – Ray Guy Award Watch List
The Ray Guy Award, presented by the Augusta Sports Council, is given to the top FBS punter. Hughes is one of six semifinalists from 2025 on the preseason watch list.
Hughes punted 41 times for 1,863 yards and an average of 45.4 yards for the Lobos in 2025, with 13 punts inside the 20-yard line and 13 punts traveling at least 50 yards. He was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection after New Mexico ranked 10th nationally with 43.02 net yards per punt. Hughes' career-long punt of 64 yards came at San Jose State last year.
Before New Mexico, Hughes played 10 games at City College of San Francisco in 2024, with 49 punts and a 37.3-yard average. He was an Australian Rules Football player for the Northern Bullants in 2021 and 2022.
The Ray Guy Award will be announced on December 10 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Hughes and the Seminoles will open the 2026 season August 29 at 7:00 p.m. against New Mexico State inside Doak Campbell Stadium.
Preseason Honors
7/20 – Duce Robinson – Good Works Team Nominee
7/29 – Duce Robinson – Preseason All-ACC
8/3 – Duce Robinson – Maxwell Award Watch List
8/6 – Duce Robinson – Sporting News Preseason All-American Second Team
8/7 – Gabe Panikowski – Groza Award Watch List
8/11 – Duce Robinson – Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
8/14 – Daniel Hughes – Ray Guy Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
Friday, August 14
Thursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13