IRVING, Texas — BYU punt returner Parker Kingston was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week today for his performance in the Cougars’ 38-9 win over No. 13 Kansas State on Saturday.
The 5-11, 185-pound redshirt sophomore from Layton, Utah, returned the first punt of the second half 90-yards for a touchdown to give BYU a 31-6 lead over K-State. Kingston’s touchdown was featured as a Top 10 play on ESPN SportsCenter Saturday night.
Kingston’s touchdown tied for the third longest punt return for a touchdown in BYU history and was the first since JD Falslev’s 71-yard score versus Middle Tennessee in 2013.
Through four games in 2024, Kingston has returned six punts for 121 yards for an average of 20.2 yards per return. Both statistics are curently sixth best in the FBS. Kingston also has three receptions for 66 yards and one carry for four yards.
In April, Kingston was named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List for the 2024 football season. The award is presented annually to the most versatile player in college football at the Division 1 FBS level.
Kingston played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman for the Cougars in 2023. He finished the year with 19 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown. He also threw two touchdown passes, had six kickoff returns for 164 yards and 11 punt returns for 51 yards.
Kingston is the first Cougar to received Big 12 Player of the Week honors during the 2024 season.