DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis junior Daniel Whelan appeared on the preseason watch list for the FCS Punter of the Year award, as announced by the Augusta Sports Council.
A sustainable environmental design major from Rancho Mirage, California, Whelan captured All-Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention in his sophomore season. He averaged 41.5 yards on 77 attempts, pinning foes inside the 20-yard line on 35 occasions and booting 17 punts for 50 yards are more. Whelan continues a strong recenst tradition for the Aggies at the position, as each of his predecessors – Colton Schmidt and Colby Wadman – have gone on to NFL careers.
Whelan's honor also continues a string of summer accolades for Aggie football players. Quarterback Jake Maier has made three preseason All-America teams, while running back Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. earning similar honors from HERO Sports. Maier and receiver Jared Harrell each made the preseason All-Big Sky squad, with Maier adding Offensive Player of the Year status. Most recently, Maier was selected for the early watch list for the Walter Payton Award for the outstanding FCS offensive player of the year.
The Augusta Sports Council has been known for honoring the top collegiate special teams players, having inaugurated the Ray Guy Award back in 2000. The ASC also launched the American Football Kicking Hall of Fame in 2008.
UC Davis posted a 10-3 record, won a share of the Big Sky championship and made its first-ever appearance in the FCS tourney last season. The Aggies begin their fall practice camp this Friday.
2019 FCS PUNTER OF THE YEAR - PRESEASON WATCH LIST
DJ Arnson, Northern Arizona
JT Bohlken, Illinois State
Matthew Campbell, The Citadel
Luke Carter, Wofford
Cade Coffey, Idaho
Anthony Craven, Alabama State
Steve Dawson, Murray State
Brad Dennis, Campbell
Chris Faddoul, Florida A&M
Andrew Foster, Morehead State
Joe Gurley, North Alabama
Brad Hurst, Georgetown
Winston Jones, Nicholls State
Ross Kennedy, Drake
Tanner Kulhan, San Diego
Doug Lloyd, Weber State
Mitch Maczura, Duquesne
Corey McCullough, Alcorn State
Andrew Mevis, Fordham
Harry O'Kelly, James Madison
Alex Pechin, Bucknell
Nick Pritchard, Delaware
Kyle Reighard, Charleston Southern
Jake Reynolds, Southeast Missouri
Drew Sanborn, New Hampshire
Jon Sot, Harvard
Garret Wegner, North Dakota State
Daniel Whelan, UC Davis
ABOUT UC DAVIS: Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
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MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE: Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit this site for more information.
