Best Kickers in College Football (Lou Groza Award Watch List 2025)
Published on: August 23, 2024
Updated on: August 30, 2025
Category: Advice & Tips
The following post features the best kickers in college football (Lou Groza Award Watch List 2025).
Some college football teams have an NFL-level kicker capable of drilling a 55-yarder into the wind. These are the kickers you need to know about when betting on college football.
Read: Best Wide Receivers in College Football
Related: Best Times to Live Bet College Football
The Lou Groza Award Watch List features the top placekickers in the nation heading into the 2025 college football season.
So, who are the best PKs in 2025? Here’s what you need to know.
Overview
Louisiana’s Kenneth Almendares won the 2024 Lou Groza Award after converting 28 of 31 FG attempts and 46 of 47 PATs, including two makes from beyond 50 yards. He was selected over two other finalists: Ryan Fitzgerald of Florida State and Alex Raynor of Kentucky.
How the Award Works
Throughout the season, the Lou Groza Award Committee tracks the performance of kickers on the preseason watchlist. At mid-season, the committee narrows the list down to 10 semifinalists. From this group, the top three finalists are chosen. The winner is chosen from three finalists by a panel consisting of FBS head coaches, media members, and former Lou Groza Award winners.
Click here for the official Lou Groza Award Watch List.
Lou Groza Award Watch List (2025)
In alphabetical order by last name, here is the 2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List:
Player |
Team |
|---|---|
Upton Bellenfant |
Texas Tech Red Raiders |
Mateen Bhaghani |
UCLA Bruins |
Randy Bond |
Texas A&M Aggies |
Lucas Carneiro |
Ole Miss Rebels |
Caden Chittenden |
USC Trojans |
Blake Craig |
Missouri Tigers |
Jonah Delange |
UAB Blazers |
Dom Dzioban |
Miami Ohio RedHawks |
Will Ferrin |
BYU Cougars |
Chris Freeman |
Connecticut Huskies |
Max Gilbert |
Tennessee Volunteers |
Jesus Gomez |
Arizona State Sun Devils |
Nolan Hauser |
Clemson Tigers |
Kyle Konrardy |
Iowa State Cyclones |
John Love |
Virginia Tech Hokies |
Dylan Lynch |
Fresno State Bulldogs |
Laith Marjan |
Kansas Jayhawks |
Alex McPherson |
Auburn Tigers |
Gabe Panikowski |
Oklahoma State Cowboys |
Damian Ramos |
LSU Tigers |
Collin Rogers |
SMU Mustangs |
Tate Sandell |
Oklahoma Sooners |
Mason Shipley |
Texas Longhorns |
Trey Smack |
Florida Gators |
Drew Stevens |
Iowa Hawkeyes |
Brock Taylor |
Vanderbilt Commodores |
Nathanial Vakos |
Wisconsin Badgers |
Clune Van Andel |
Arkansas State Red Wolves |
Peyton Woodring |
Georgia Bulldogs |
Dominic Zvada |
Michigan Wolverines |
Lou Groza Award Winners (2000 – Present)
Here are the winners from years past – notice lots of NFL names on this list.
Year |
Player |
Team |
|---|---|---|
2024 |
Kenneth Almendares |
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns |
2023 |
Graham Nicholson |
Miami Hurricanes |
2022 |
Evan McPherson |
Florida Gators |
2021 |
Jake Moody |
Michigan Wolverines |
2020 |
Evan McPherson |
Florida Gators |
2019 |
Jose Borregales |
Miami Hurricanes |
2018 |
Cameron Dicker |
Texas Longhorns |
2017 |
Rodrigo Blankenship |
Georgia Bulldogs |
2016 |
Zane Gonzalez |
Arizona State Sun Devils |
2015 |
Eddie Pineiro |
Florida Gators |
2014 |
Robert Aguayo |
Florida State Seminoles |
2013 |
Kyle Brindza |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
2012 |
Brad Wing |
LSU Tigers |
2011 |
Cairo Santos |
Tulane Green Wave |
2010 |
Chad Hedlund |
Texas Tech Red Raiders |
2009 |
Blair Walsh |
Georgia Bulldogs |
2008 |
Graham Harrell |
Texas Tech Red Raiders |
2007 |
Thomas Weber |
Arizona State Sun Devils |
2006 |
David Akers |
Georgia Bulldogs |
2005 |
Mike Nugent |
Ohio State Buckeyes |
2004 |
Nick Novak |
Maryland Terrapins |
2003 |
Nate Kaeding |
Iowa Hawkeyes |
2002 |
John Hall |
Virginia Cavaliers |
2001 |
Jason Elam |
Colorado Buffaloes |
2000 |
David Akers |
Georgia Bulldogs |
