CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois punter Blake Hayes was named one of 10 semifinalists for the prestigious Ray Guy Award, the award's committee announced Wednesday. The Ray Guy Award honors the nation's best collegiate punter.

Voting is now open for fans to help select the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award. Visit rayguyaward.com to vote.

Hayes has Illinois ranked ninth in the nation in net punting (43.0) and he is tied for the Big Ten lead with 28 punts landed inside the 20-yard line. The Melbourne, Australia, native has only two touchbacks this season while averaging 45.0 yards per punt, the best average yardage of his career. 

Hayes is currently on pace to set the Illinois single-season records for punts inside the 20 and punts inside the 20 percentage, while ranking second in Illinois history in punting average. Hayes will leave Champaign with nearly every Illinois career punting record, as he is already Illinois' all-time leader in punting average, total punts, punt yards, and punts inside the 20.

Hayes is a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. He won the award following Illinois wins over Nebraska and Minnesota. 

The top three finalists for the Ray Guy Award will be announced Nov. 23. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN on Thursday, December 9, 2021.