We’ve looked at every position group in the conference and named the top players, but we saved the best for last. The 2024 Mountain West K/P Rankings shine a light on the athletes who rarely receive adequate coverage.
Mountain West 2024 K/P Rankings
10) Paddy Turner, P, Colorado State Rams
Beyond being an incredible human being, Paddy Turner has been Colorado State’s punter for the last two years. The Australian was on the Ray Guy Award Watch List and improved on his 2022 numbers on 14 fewer attempts (66 to 52).
2022
- YPA: 39.1
- Inside the 20: 13
- 50+ yard punts: 7
- Long: 56
2023
- YPA: 43.3
- Inside the 20: 18
- 50+ yard punts: 11
- Long: 65
Another year of upward trajectory could shoot Turner up the list and possibly attain an All-Mountain West nod.
9) Matthew Dapore, K, Air Force Falcons
Kicker may be the last position you think of when discussing Air Force’s roster, but Matthew Dapore was steadfast when called upon last season. He nailed 34 of 35 extra points and 15 of 19 field goals, including going 7 of 8 from 40-49 yards. He may see the field less due to the Falcons’ exodus of offensive talent, but Dapore earned his ranking here.
8) Ben Falck, K, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
A massive special teamer at 6’6″ and 225 pounds, it’s hard to miss Ben Falck on the field. He served as the primary holder and kickoff specialist for Hawaii last season, and while that role is hard to place among field goal kickers and punters, Falck excelled.
MORE: 2024 Mountain West QB Rankings
On 53 kickoffs, 33 ended as touchbacks, with an average of 63.8 yards per attempt. Prior to Hawaii, he was San Bernardino Valley College’s leading kicker and punter, and with star placekicker Matthew Shipley off to Arkansas, Falck may get another chance at FGs in 2024.
7) Marshall Nichols, P, UNLV Rebels
There are virtually no holes on UNLV’s roster, including at punter. Marshall Nichols’ 47.1 yards per attempt was second only to Boise State’s James Ferguson-Reynolds, routinely giving his defense an advantage. With some new pieces in place on offense, it may take the Rebels some time to gel, and Nichols can help afford them that time.
6) Ryan Marks, P, Utah State Aggies
Ryan Marks stepped into the starting punter role for the final seven games after Stephen Kotsanlee suffered an injury. Kotsanlee was solid in his own right, but Marks — excuse the pun — set the mark at the position for Utah State. His 18.4% return rate was second-lowest in the conference, and he also booted the longest punt at 75 yards.
5) John Hoyland, K, Wyoming Cowboys
John Hoyland attempted a whopping seven field goals of 50+ yards last season. Now, he only connected on three, but the fact the Cowboys were comfortable enough to trot him out there speaks volumes.
He went 10 for 10 on kicks 39 yards and less, but his accuracy wavers beyond that. Hoyland will have the chance to right his wrong in 2024, as an uncertain passing attack may lead to more long-distance attempts.
4) Jordan Noyes, K, Colorado State Rams
In three seasons (first two at Utah), Jordan Noyes has yet to miss an extra point (83 of 83). He was also perfect from less than 39 yards out last year, securing all 10 of his attempts. Noyes doesn’t possess the strongest leg, but he’s reliable within his range.
3) Dylan Lynch, K, Fresno State Bulldogs
After missing four kicks in the first three games of the season, Dylan Lynch missed just two FGs the rest of the way. And two of those first missed came on a 5 of 7 day against Arizona State. His 30 attempts were the most in the Mountain West, with his 24 makes tying for second. Add in going 40 of 40 on extra points, and you have one of the top kickers in the conference.
2) James Ferguson-Reynolds, P, Boise State Broncos
Another native Australian, James Ferguson-Reynolds was the first-team All-MWC punter in 2023, and he’s the favorite to do so again in 2024. There’s no questioning his leg, as he led the conference with a 49.5-yard average, 43.0-yard net, 26 punts downed inside the 20, and 29 punts of 50+ yards. Ferguson-Reynolds also completed a 21-yard pass on a trick play — what can’t he do?
1) Jonah Dalmas, K, Boise State Broncos
Boise State boasts the top punter and kicker in the conference, and it isn’t really that close. UNLV’s Jose Pizano obtained first-team all-conference honors last season, but Jonah Dalmas had a case as well.
KEEP READING: 2024 Mountain West Power Rankings
He converted on 48 of 49 XPs and 24 of 27 FGs. Pizano had him beat on kicks shorter than 40 yards (100% to 87.5%), but Dalmas made 90.9% of kicks 40+ yards away, including 4 of 5 from 50+, while the UNLV kicker hit 77%. Regardless, Dalmas deserves his throne as the top MWC special teamer entering the 2024 season.
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