July 16, 2014

CHARLESTON, S.C. - San Diego's Ryan Belden (Diamond Bar, Calif.) has earned a spot on the 2014 CFPA Punter Award Watch List, as announced by College Football Performance Awards.

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

"Congratulations to Ryan Belden on earning a spot on this year's watch list," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "Belden had a superb freshman season, including 8-of-39 punts for 50 or more yards."

In 2013 Belden earned All-PFL Second Team honors and received USD's Kevin Briscoe Special Teams Player of the Year award. He averaged 43.6 yards per punt (2nd best all-time for USD single season), and even boomed an 80-yarder against Mercer. He was named the PFL Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 27) for his efforts in the team's 42-14 win over Butler.

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 entering its seventh season of recognition. The CFPA's player and team performance index, used since 2008, ranks success across all three phases of the game.

Last season, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston earned the CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy for the FBS, while Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams earned the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy.

CFPA Trophy winner and former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.

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