Kickers are people, too. Thankfully, the Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top placekicker in college football. To date, 32 kickers have won the award since 1992. Of those 32, only four did so while wearing the Big Ten patch on their jersey. Last year, two Big Ten kickers made the cut for the semifinalists. After the one returning semifinalist had a rough season, the conference only has two new semifinalists this year.
The SEC leads this year’s crop with five semifinalists. Right behind the SEC is the Big 12 with four. The ACC follows with three, while the Big Ten, MAC, and Mountain West have two each. Finally, the American and Independents have one each.
Two Big Ten Kickers Make Lou Groza Award Semifinalist Cut
Nico Radicic, Indiana
Indiana has shown that 2024 was not a fluke. A constant in the two-year turnaround has been the rock-solid play of Nico Radicic. While everyone is looking at Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza, and the impressive defense, Radicic has been one of the best kickers in the country over the last two seasons.
Last year, Radicic converted on all 69 extra points he attempted. As for field goals, Radicic was 10/11 with his only miss coming in the final regular-season game on a 46-yard attempt.
This year, he’s been perfect. Radicic has sunk all 62 extra points while making all 13 field goal attempts. He set a new career-long with his 46-yard make in the win over Maryland. His 62 extra point attempts and makes lead the country, and he’s in a three-way tie with a perfect field goal percentage with two other Lou Groza Award semifinalists.
If Radicic takes home the award, he will be the first Indiana Hoosier to do so.
Ryon Sayeri, USC
The other Big Ten honoree comes from USC. Last year, Ryon Sayeri appeared in just one game, and he launched a 57-yard punt. This year, he took over as the full-time kicker and gave the Trojans an upgrade over last year’s kicker.
Sayeri comes into Week 13 a perfect 41-of-41 on extra points. When it comes to field goals, Sayeri is 17-of-18 with his lone miss coming in the win over Purdue on a 37-yard attempt. In that game, he attempted five field goals, by far the most in his career.
Sayeri converted on his only attempt over 50 yards (54) and is five-of-five on kicks of 40-49 yards.
Like Radicic, if Sayeri takes home the Lou Groza Award, he would be the first in USC history.
The Rest
- Aidan Birr, Georgia Tech
- Trey Butkowski, Pitt
- Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss
- Dom Dzioban, Miami (OH)
- Chris Freeman, UConn
- Stone Harrington, Texas Tech
- Jackson Kleather, Bowling Green
- Luca Lombardo, Boston College
- Laith Marjan, Kansas
- Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawai’i
- Gabriel Plascencia, San Diego State
- Damian Ramos, LSU
- Noe Ruelas, UCF
- Ethan Sanchez, Houston
- Tate Sandell, Oklahoma
- Trey Smack, Florida
- Gianni Spetic, Memphis
- Peyton Woodring, Georgia
More Big Ten Awards Coverage
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Five Big Ten Linebackers Named Butkus Award Semifinalists -
Three Big Ten Newcomers Named Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalists - Two Big Ten Safeties Honored as Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalists
- Big Ten Leads The Way With Six Maxwell Award Semifinalists
- Three Big Ten Defenders Named Bednarik Award Semifinalists
- The Big Ten’s Two Up For The Burlsworth Trophy
- Five Big Ten Stars Headline Walter Camp Award Semifinalist Cut
- Five Big Ten Quarterbacks Named Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalists
- Five Big Ten Receivers Named Biletnikoff Award Semifinalists
Main Photo: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
