Former UHS punter, 2025 Walker Award winner Jimmy Gregg entering freshman season at Syracuse with high hopes
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MORGANTOWN – Jimmy Gregg wants to be the best punter in college football.
He clearly showed he was not only the best in the state in 2025, but arguably the best in the entire country.
After producing an all-time season as a senior for University High School last year, Gregg was named the 2025 Fulton Walker Award winner as the top specialist in WV. He was the first punter to ever receive the award.
The nationally-rated punter booted 49 punts for 2,246 yards, an average of 45.83 yards. Opponents didn't have many opportunities to gain yards on returns, as Gregg averaged 45.14 yards.
All season, Gregg had no touchbacks.
Heading into 2026 as a freshman at Syracuse University, Gregg will be the starting punter for the Orange and has high hopes for himself.
"This summer I've been focusing on doing what is needed to be as prepared as possible mentally and physically," Gregg said. "I feel like I'm hitting the ball more consistently now and doing everything that I'm expected to do at this level. The moment I committed to Syracuse, I was already trying to mentally think like I was the starter so I would be prepared for the moment."
It may not come as a surprise to most that Gregg is the type of player who welcomes a little bit of pressure.
"Whenever you have expectations, it's like a gift," he said. "To me, that's something to be proud of. People don't expect things from people who don't matter. Expectations mean belief, and when people have belief in you, or you have belief in yourself, you have to use that to go out and get the job done."
Gregg doesn't only want to be the next best punter in college football; he wants to leave a lasting impact on the position not only at Syracuse, but around the entire country.
"I want to redefine what it means to be a freshman punter," he said. "It's rare to see a true freshman making a big impact on a team, but I want to show that I'm just as good as someone who has four years of experience. The difference between those guys and me is age, not talent."
Syracuse opens the 2026 season at home against New Hampshire on September 5. Another home contest will follow in Week 2 against Cal, before Gregg and the Orange travel to Pittsburgh for a matchup with the Panthers on Thursday, September 17 on ESPN.