Niesner Named to FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List
Valparaiso University football punter Ben Niesner (Black Diamond, Wash. / Tahoma [Portland State]) has been named to the Fall 2021 FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List by the Augusta Sports Council.
Niesner is one of 20 punters nationally in Division-I FCS to earn a spot on the preseason watch list. He was also named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference First Team and to the Preseason All-Pioneer Football League squad.
Niesner shared PFL Special Teams Player of the Year accolades during the Spring 2021 season, becoming the first player in program history to receive that honor. In addition, he was tabbed an FCS National Punter of the Year Semifinalist.
Niesner tied Greg Wood’s program record for single-season punting average at 43.6. When taken to the next decimal point, Niesner’s 43.58 is narrowly behind Wood’s 43.64, which is also the Pioneer Football League record. Niesner’s mark is the second-best in PFL history. He ranked eighth nationally in punting average in Division-I FCS in Spring 2021.
Niesner booted seven punts for 50+ yards during the spring season including a career-long 72 in the season finale vs. San Diego. He pinned the opposition inside the 20 on nine occasions while totaling 1,351 yards over his 31 boots. Niesner earned a pair of PFL Special Teams Player of the Week accolades this past spring.
2021 Preseason Watchlist
Andrew Foster Morehead State
Aubrey Grace Alabama State
Austin Dunlap Southeastern Louisiana
Ben Niesner Valparaiso
Brady Schutt South Dakota
Chris Faddoul Florida A&M
D.J. Arnson Northern Arizona
Daniel Whelan UC Davis
Harry O’Kelly James Madison
Joe Gurley North Alabama
Jon Sot Harvard
JT Bohlken Illinois State
Kaleb Mosley Tennessee State
Matthew Campbell The Citadel
Matt McRobert Sam Houston
Nathan Fondacaro Villanova
Noah Gettman Sacred Heart
Patrick Haughney Holy Cross
Ryan Richter Norfolk State
Zach Haynes Southeast Missouri
