WACO, Texas – Making it a clean sweep on this year’s FCS All-America teams, Missouri State punter Grant Burkett was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America second team Wednesday (Dec. 22).
A native of Joplin, Burkett ranks second in the nation with a school-record punting average of 46.2 per attempt, while helping the Bears rank second as a team in net punting (42.81). He had 16 punts this season of 50 yards or better with 15 attempts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
In addition to being an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first-team selection this year, Burkett has now made four FCS All-America teams, including second-team selections by the AFCA, STATS Perform and Hero Sports, and a third-team selection by the Associated Press.
Hero Sports also recognized Burkett on its 2021 Freshman All-America Team, which includes all players with three years of eligibility remaining.
As a redshirt freshman in the spring 2021 season, Burkett earned All-MVFC honorable mention laurels prior to his breakout performance this fall.
Coach Bobby Petrino‘s squad finished the 2021 season with an 8-4 overall record after finishing as runners-up in the rugged Missouri Valley Football Conference and earning their second straight NCAA FCS Playoff berth.