AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta Sports Council announced the semifinalists for the organization's annual FCS Punter of the Year award Wednesday afternoon, distinguishing The Citadel graduate student James Platte as a member of the 10-man squad.

The candidates were evaluated by the FCS Punter of the Year Award committee on their overall statistics and contribution to the team. Emphasis is placed on net punting average, percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact of the team's success.

"James has been a field flipper, momentum changer, and one of the most consistent specialist in the nation," head coach Maurice Drayton said. "His hard work, discipline and dedication to The Citadel shine every single week. Congratulations to this young man for this well-deserved recognition."

Platte, a product of Aiken, S.C., served as the anchor for the highly-effective Bulldogs special teams unit across the full 12-game season, averaging a program-second best 46.5 yards per kick -- fell short of his own record from last year -- behind 48 attempts for a total 2,232 yards. The grad student notably launched 20 kicks over 50 yards -- including a new career-long 72-yarder against Valdosta State -- while pinning opposing teams inside their own 20-yard line on 16 occasions, finishing with the sixth-best punt average mark within the FCS while leading The Citadel to a national No. 2 net punting rate of 42.53 yards per kick.

On a special note, Platte officially locked down the new career mark for punt average in school history, concluding his collegiate stint with the Bulldogs at 44.0 yards per kick.

"When it comes to special teams play, you always look for difference makers," special teams coordinator Tony Coaxum said. "Usually those come in the form of dynamic returners, kick blocking aces, or relentless cover guys, but James has been our difference maker as he has eliminated some dynamic returners with his ability to have elite ball placement and hang time. Week-in and week-out, opposing coordinators raved about what he put on film. He is arguably the best punter in all of college football."

Fellow semifinalists for the award include: Adam Watford, North Alabama; Ben Shrewsbury, VMI; Brady Clark, Princeton; Elliot Huether, St. Thomas; Gabriel Russo, Idaho State; John McConnell, Mercer; Max Pelham, South Dakota State; Ryan Marks, Utah Tech; and Thomas O'Hara, Murray State.

A national voting body of sports information directors, conference representatives and sports writers will determine the winner from the 10 semifinalists. Voting for the winner will open on Thursday, Dec. 4 and close on Sunday, Dec. 14 at noon ET. The winner of the 2025 FCS Punter of the Year Award will be revealed on Monday, Dec. 15.


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