MIAMI – FIU senior punter Daton Montiel has been named to the 2024 watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which is presented annually to college football's most outstanding punter by the Augusta Sports Council.
 
This marks the third consecutive season that Montiel has been selected to the Ray Guy Preseason Watch List and his one of 34 players honored with mention in 2024.
 
During his junior campaign, Montiel averaged 39.2 yards over 72 punts and boomed nine kicks over 50 yards, including a long of 58 yards, and placed a total of 10 punts inside the 20-yard line.
 
In 2023, Montiel totaled 2,820 yards and forced 41 fair catches.  Montiel is the third player in FIU history to earn mention to the prestigious list – joining former Panthers Stone Wilson and Tommy Heatherly.
 
The award is named after punter Ray Guy, an All-American for Southern Mississippi and an All-Pro in the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders.
 
The Ray Guy Award winner is selected by a voting body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, national media and former Ray Guy Award winners.
 
Punters are evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Particular emphasis is placed on the following statistics; net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned.
 
2024 Ray Guy Preseason Watch List
Aaron Rodriguez, New Mexico
Alec Bevelhimer, Miami (OH)
Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
Brett Thorson, Georgia
Brian Buschini, Nebraska
Daniel Sparks, Virginia
Daton Montiel, FIU
Eddie Czaplicki, USC
Ivan Mora, Wake Forest
Jack Bouwmeester, Utah
Jack Browning, San Diego State
Jack Dawson, Jax State
James Burnip, Alabama
James Evans, Indiana
James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State
Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt
Kai Kroeger, South Carolina
Lachlan Wilson, California
Lucas Borrow, Ball State
Luke Elzinga, Oklahoma
Mark Vassett, Colorado
Marshall Nichols, UNLV
Mason Fletcher, Cincinnati
Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
Nick Haberer, Washington State
Oliver Straw, West Virginia
Oscar Chapman, Auburn
Peter Moore, Virginia Tech
Riley Riethman, Navy
Riley Thompson, Penn State
Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
Ryan Hanson, James Madison
Stephen Kotsanlee, Utah State
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Football season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
 
2024 FIU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 31	at Indiana (Saturday)	Big Ten Network	3:30 p.m.
Sept. 7	CENTRAL MICHIGAN (Saturday)	ESPN+	6 p.m.
Sept. 14	at Florida Atlantic (Saturday)	ESPN+	6 p.m.
Sept. 21	MONMOUTH (Saturday) (Homecoming)	ESPN+	6 p.m.
Sept. 28	LOUISIANA TECH* (Saturday)	ESPN Platforms	6 p.m.
Oct. 8	at Liberty* (Tuesday)	CBSSN	7 p.m.
Oct. 16	at UTEP* (Wednesday)	CBSSN	9 p.m.
Oct. 22	SAM HOUSTON* (Tuesday)	ESPNU	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 29	NEW MEXICO STATE* (Tuesday)	CBSSN	7 p.m.
Nov. 16	at Jacksonville State* (Saturday)	ESPN Platforms	2 p.m.
Nov. 23	at Kennesaw State* (Saturday)	ESPN Platforms	3 p.m.
Nov. 30	MIDDLE TENNESSEE* (Saturday)	ESPN Platforms	2 p.m.

 
HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPS
ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN (ET)
* CONFERENCE USA GAME