South Carolina football senior nominated to preseason watch list for major award

South Carolina football has had several players included on preseason watch lists over the last week as long snapper Hunter Rogers (Patrick Mannelly), running back Rocket Sanders (Maxwell), linebacker Debo Williams (Bronko Nagurski), and defensive tackle Boogie Huntley (Danny Wuerffel) have received some preseason love.

A teammate joined them on a list on Friday.

Kai Kroeger was included on the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award. The honor has been given to the top punter in college football every year since 2000 and is named after All-American Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Pro Football Hall of Fame punter Ray Guy.

Kroeger's inclusion on the list comes as no surprise. He was an All-SEC contributor in both 2022 and 2023 and was an All-American in 2022. He is within reach of several South Carolina football punting records and has been the Gamecocks' recipient of the Brad E. Davis Community Service Award.

Kroeger might be best known, though, as the center of attention on multiple trick plays over the years. He has thrown 3 touchdown passes (one to long snapper Hunter Rogers), converted multiple surprise 2-point plays, and picked up several 1st downs with his arm and his legs.

Kroeger likely should have won the Ray Guy Award back in 2022 but, inexplicably, was left off of the list of three finalists.

This year's list of 33 preseason nominees can be seen below:

Aaron Rodriguez, New Mexico Lobos
Alec Bevelhimer, Miami (OH) RedHawks
Alex Mastromanno, Florida State Seminoles
Brett Thorson, Georgia Bulldogs
Brian Buschini, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Daniel Sparks, Virginia Cavaliers
Daton Montiel, Florida International Panthers
Eddie Czaplicki, Southern Cal Trojans
Ivan Mora, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Jack Bouwmeester, Utah Utes
Jack Dawson, Jacksonville State Gamecocks
James Burnip, Alabama Crimson Tide
James Evans, Indiana Pacers
James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State Broncos
Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt Commodores
Kai Kroeger, South Carolina Gamecocks
Lachlan Wilson, Cal Golden Bears
Lucas Borrow, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Luke Elzinga, Oklahoma Sooners
Mark Vassett, Colorado Buffaloes
Marshall Nichols, UNLV Runnin' Rebels
Mason Fletcher, Cincinnati Bearcats
Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan Eagles
Nick Haberer, Washington State Cougars
Oliver Straw, West Virginia Mountaineers
Oscar Chapman, Auburn Tigers
Peter Moore, Virginia Tech Hokies
Riley Riethman, Navy Midshipmen
Riley Thompson, Penn State Nittany Lions
Ryan Eckley, Michigan State Spartans
Ryan Hanson, James Madison Dukes
Stephen Kotsanlee, Utah State Aggies
Tyler Perkins, Iowa State Cyclones