CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Punter Daniel Sparks was named the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week on Tuesday (Sept. 22). The Cavalier specialist was selected after being listed as one of "Ray's 8" on Monday afternoon.
The Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week is presented to the best NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) punter in college football for a specific week of play as determined by the Ray Guy Award Committee, designated by the Augusta Sports Council. The winner must be a current nominee for the Ray Guy Award and must display leadership, self-discipline and have a significant, positive impact on his team's success. Character and educational excellence are considered as factors in determining the weekly winner.
#OURGUY Week Three:
— Ray Guy Award (@RayGuyAward) September 22, 2026
𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬, @UVAFootball
📰: https://t.co/eigVpqSv6h#RayGuyAward | #RGA pic.twitter.com/WOBJQGQS4d
In Saturday’s non-conference tilt against West Virginia, Sparks punted six times for 276 yards (46.0 yards per punt). He established a career best with four punts inside the 20. Sparks went over 11,000 yards punting in his career in the contest. His 11,095 career punting yards are the most among any active college football player in all divisions.
Sparks currently ranks ninth in the country and second in the ACC in punting average (47.0 yards per punt).
Ray Guy Award, Ray's 8: Week 3
Alex Bacchetta, Georgia Tech
John Hoyet Chance, TCU
Reed Chandley, Florida Atlantic
Josh Cupitt, Delaware
William Hudlow, Tulane
Simon McClannan, Kansas State
Ed Phillipson, Massachusetts
Daniel Sparks, Virginia *** Selected as Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week