(ST. GEORGE, Utah – December 4, 2025) Utah Tech football junior specialist Ryan Marks has been named as one of 10 national finalists for the 2025 FCS Punter of the Year Award, which was announced by the Augusta Sports Council on Wednesday.

Marks (5-11, 235; Farmington, Utah/Farmington HS/Utah State), who earned second team all-United Athletic Conference honors earlier this week, finished his debut campaign as a Trailblazer as Utah Tech’s single season and career leader in punt yardage with a 46.4 ypp average (40.26 ypp net).

His 46.4 ypp season average was good for seventh-overall in the FCS subdivision, while Marks closed the 2025 regular season 15^th in the FCS rankings in total punt yardage (2,694).

Marks booted four punts of 60 or more yards, and launched 20 total punts of 50 or more yards. He connected for a season-long 67-yard punt vs. Tarleton State (10/11), and recorded at least three 50-plus yard punts in three of his 12 games.

In addition, 18 of his 58 total punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, while he only had six touchbacks and 13 of his punts were fair caught.

The annual FCS Punter of the Year Award was established in 2019 by the Augusta Sports Council to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

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.

2025 FCS Punter of the Year Award Semifinalists

Adam Watford, North Alabama

Ben Shrewsbury, Virginia Military Institute

Brady Clark, Princeton

Elliot Huether, St. Thomas

Gabriel Russo, Idaho State

James Platte, The Citadel

John McConnell, Mercer

Max Pelham, South Dakota State

Ryan Marks, Utah Tech

Thomas O’Hara, Murray State

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