WKU football punter Cole Maynard was named Associated Press All-America First Team punter, the outlet announced Monday. 

Maynard’s recognition marks the first WKU player to be named AP First Team All-America since Buster Ashley in 2004, and the first player awarded All-America status since Jerreth Sterns was named Associated Press All-America Second Team in 2021. 

Maynard was named to the Walter Camp All-America Second team on Friday, the program’s first player to receive Walter Camp honors since running back Bobby Rainey in 2011.

Maynard also accepted an invitation to the 2026 American Bowl, marking the first WKU player to play in the American Bowl in its inaugural year. 

Maynard led the nation in punting average during the regular season at 48.7 yards per punt, setting a WKU record for single-season punting average. 

The Hilltoppers will face Southern Miss in the 2025 New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 4:30 p.m. CT.