Demetrion Duvall on FCS Preseason Watch List

LORMAN, Miss. – Demetrion Duvall of Alcorn Football has been named as one of 14 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) student-athletes on the 2026 Preseason Punter of the Year Watch List announced Friday, Aug. 14, by the Augusta Sports Council.
 
The 14 candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum of FCS punters and were compiled based on previous FCS Punter of the Year semifinalists, 2025 All-American, and All-Conference selections, top performing punters, and 2026 Preseason All-American and Preseason All-Conference selections. This is not a final list as the winner of the FCS Punter of the Year Award does not need to appear on the preseason watch list.
 
"To have a weapon like that in Demetrion that can turn a game and flip the field at any moment, that's just vital to the special teams part of your game," said Cedric Thomas, now entering his third year as head coach of Alcorn Football. "He is a big part of what gets us going when we need to turn the field, or just pin the opposition back deep. This is incredible for him to be announced to this watch list, and speaks of his ability on the field. But off the field, he is an even better human being."
 
Demetrion Duvall, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior from Akron, Ohio, served as the Braves punter for 2025, ending the year with a SWAC second-highest 49 kicks for 2,093 yards, averaging 42.7 yards per punt. He had a career-long 63-yard kick against Florida A&M, in addition to placing 14 kicks inside the 20-yard line. In total, he tallied 13 punts of 50 yards or better – tied for second-most in the league in that category.
 
He has already been named to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason First Team, as well as recently being tabbed a BOXTOROW Historically Black College and University (HBCU) FCS Preseason All-American.
 
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.
 
Alcorn begins the season Saturday, Aug. 29, as the Braves welcome Miles to Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
 
Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports) for all the latest news and updates. Follow us on Instagram (@AlcornSports) and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for even further behind-the-scenes action across all Braves Athletics.
 
About the FCS Punter of the Year Award
The Augusta Sports Council, also home to the Ray Guy Award (awarded to the best collegiate punter in the FBS), created the FCS Punter of the Year Award in 2019 to honor the best collegiate punter playing in the FCS. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line, and percentage of punts not returned, with particular emphasis placed on net punting average. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline and have a positive impact on the team's success.

About the Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta, GA area as a destination for amateur sporting events. The ASC attracts, creates, and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Augusta's River Region. Visit www.augustasportscouncil.org to learn more.