Jon Martin Named to CFPA Punter Award Watch List

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The University at Albany’s Jon Martin has earned a spot on the 2014 CFPA Punter Award Watch List, as announced by College Football Performance Awards.

“Congratulations to Jon Martin on earning a spot on the 2014 CFPA Watch List,” said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. “Martin played a valuable special teams role for the Great Danes in 2013.”

Playing in all 12 games, Martin punted 61 times and totaled 2,433 yards for an average of 39.9 yards per punt. He recorded seven punts over 50 yards and dropped 17 inside the 20-yard line. Martin’s 76-yard punt versus Towson on Oct. 19th marked the fourth-longest punt in UAlbany history. He also had a 73-yarder against CCSU on Sept. 21st, representing the seventh longest punt in the Great Danes’ record book.

The initial watch list includes 38 returning performers, vying for the top punter award in the Football Championship Subdivision. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.

The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferment in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections.

CFPA is now in its seventh season of recognition, utilizing objective rankings of player and team performance from its data index since 2008. Its player and team performance index is broken down by offense, defense, and special teams, including statistically significant data such as average yards per play and net punting average.

Martin is the third UAlbany player to be named to a CFPA Watch List this summer, following running back Omar Osbourne and tight end Brian Parker.

The full list of 2014 CFPA winners will be announced January 14, 2015.