Bowman, Starling Named To FCS Punter Of The Year Watch List
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (August 14, 2026) – Campbell junior
Brandon Bowman and Hampton senior
Brett Starling have been chosen to the preseason watch list for the 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Award, which is presented annually by the Augusta Sports Council.
Bowman and Starling are two of 14 punters on the preseason watch list for the award, which honors the nation’s top FCS punter.
Bowman, a transfer from North Carolina Central, averaged 43.3 yards on 37 punts in 2025. He tallied 13 punts of 50+ yards and dropped 10 inside the 20-yard line. Bowman received first-team All-MEAC accolades and received honorable mention on the BOXTOROW HBCU All-America team.
Starling averaged 42.3 yards on 65 punts for Hampton last season. He launched 12 punts of 50+ yards and placed 10 inside the 20-yard line. Starling received honorable mention All-CAA honors in 2025 and was named to the 2026 preseason All-CAA squad.
The FCS Punter of the Year Award winner will be determined by the FCS Punter of the Year Award national voting body, which consists of FCS sports information directors and national sports writers.
Nominations for the 2026 FCS Punter of the Year will open on August 15 and the winner is slated to be announced on December 14.
2026 FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List
Liam Allen IV, Howard
Brandon Bowman, Campbell
Logan Chenette, Stonehill
Brady Clark, Princeton
Demetrion Duvall, Alcorn State
Ryan Marks, Utah Tech
Charlie Mullen, Tarleton State
Max Pelham, South Dakota State
Connor Poole, Lehigh
Emiliano Salazar, San Diego
Ben Shrewsbury, Virginia Military Institute
Luke Silvernale, North Dakota
Brett Starling, Hampton
Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling, UTRGV