Max Dean, Washington State P: the 2026 season story
Max Dean is a sophomore punter for Washington State (Pac-12). He ranks 106th of 232 punters in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every punter on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Max Dean's strongest measure is gross punt average at 44.2, 50th of 134 (the average is 43.6). His weakest is inside the 20 at 27%, 111th of 134 (the average is 35%).
Against every punter
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of punter he is. Among ranked punters he sits, on average, in the 49th percentile for efficiency and 17th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 8 games, Max Dean's best came in week 1 at Washington and his quietest in week 7 at Oregon State.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Max Dean is 82nd of 134 FBS punters and 6th of 8 in the Pac-12. Next up nationally is Aidan Flintoft of Stanford, 0.03 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. Past seasons show whether this year is a breakout, a steady climb or a step back. His best season by the Player Index was 2025 at New Mexico State, 96th of 238 punters.
Punters like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Charles Mulcahy of North Alabama.
