BREAKING: Texas A\&M Senior Kicker Named to Lou Groza Award Watch List After Remarkable Rise in SEC Ranks
As the 2025 college football season inches ever closer, the preseason awards watch lists continue to pour out, each carrying the weight of expectation and promise. Among them, one of the most prestigious honors for a college football specialist—the Lou Groza Award—has just released its annual watch list, and Texas A\&M’s senior kicker finds his name included among the best in the nation. For a program that has historically prided itself on stout defense and hard-nosed SEC battles, this recognition for its kicker speaks volumes about the evolution of special teams in College Station, and the pivotal role that the senior placekicker has come to play in the Aggies’ football identity.
For Texas A\&M, the kicker’s inclusion is not just about a strong leg—it’s about consistency, mental toughness, leadership, and a flair for the clutch. Over the past few seasons, the senior specialist has risen from relative obscurity to become one of the most reliable scoring options in the SEC. Whether it’s in the cauldron of a night game at Kyle Field or the razor-thin margins of a conference road game, he has become someone coaches, teammates, and fans trust with the game on the line.
His journey to the Lou Groza watch list began with a modest start. Arriving in College Station without five-star hype or national fanfare, he earned his stripes on the practice field. Coaches noted early on that he had more than just a powerful right leg—he had composure beyond his years and a relentless work ethic. While some players seek the spotlight, he quietly put in extra reps, refining his technique, studying film, and perfecting the minutiae of his kicking motion. By his sophomore year, he had earned the starting role, and by his junior campaign, he was the Aggies’ scoring leader.
In 2024, he was nearly automatic. He connected on 23 of 25 field goal attempts and was perfect on extra points, despite adverse weather conditions and SEC-caliber pressure. What separated him from others, though, was his ability to deliver in high-stakes moments. In games decided by a touchdown or less, he went a perfect 9-for-9 on field goals, including a walk-off 52-yarder that stunned LSU in Death Valley and kept A\&M’s bowl hopes alive. That kick didn’t just seal a win—it solidified his legend among the Aggie faithful.
Behind those moments are countless hours of unseen preparation. Kickers often train alone, refining muscle memory and mechanics while the rest of the team is immersed in full-contact drills. He embraced the solitude, calling it his “mental edge,” and honed not only his technique but his poise under pressure. Teammates joke that he’s unshakable—that whether it’s a chip shot or a 55-yarder with two seconds left, he looks and acts the same. That mindset has earned him respect across the locker room, even among the most battle-hardened linemen and fiery defensive backs.
The Lou Groza Award, named after the legendary Cleveland Browns kicker and lineman, is awarded annually to the best placekicker in college football. It represents excellence, not just in field goal accuracy, but in overall contribution to the game and dependability when it matters most. The fact that this senior Aggie kicker is among the 30 or so athletes nationwide named to the watch list puts him in elite company and further validates his body of work.
But for all the accolades and honors, he remains grounded. When asked about the recognition during Texas A\&M’s media availability, he deflected praise to his snapper, holder, and blocking unit. “It’s a team effort,” he said. “I’m just the guy finishing the play, but the operation has to be clean from start to finish. I trust those guys with everything.” That humility is not for show—it’s reflective of a player who understands the nuances of his role and the importance of team chemistry.
That chemistry has been on display throughout his tenure, especially during close games where every point counts. With an offense that has, at times, struggled to consistently find the end zone, his ability to convert long drives into points has been critical. In fact, during the 2024 season, nearly 40% of A\&M’s total points came off his foot. That’s not just impressive—it’s essential production that kept the Aggies in contention in the brutal SEC West.
His reliability has also allowed A\&M’s coaching staff to make more confident decisions. On 4th-and-medium from the 30-yard line, few programs have the luxury of knowing they can chalk up three points. But with him on the roster, that’s a decision the staff can make with full trust. That’s a tactical edge, one that’s often overlooked until the scoreboard reveals its significance.
Off the field, his leadership has grown alongside his game. As a senior, he’s taken younger specialists under his wing, guiding them through the routines, the mental grind, and the expectations that come with playing for a high-profile SEC program. One freshman kicker recently remarked, “He’s like a big brother who also happens to be insanely good. He doesn’t just tell you what to do—he shows you.” That mentorship is something the coaching staff appreciates deeply. It ensures continuity and a high standard for the future.
What makes his Lou Groza recognition even more noteworthy is the context. The SEC is home to some of the most hostile environments and athletic defensive units in all of college football. Weather, crowd noise, game pressure—none of it seems to faze him. He went 7-of-7 on attempts over 45 yards last season, and even drilled a 58-yarder during the spring game that drew a standing ovation from those in attendance. The strength of his leg is only matched by his accuracy, and the combination makes him a true weapon.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, expectations are naturally high—not just because of the watch list, but because of the vital role he plays in what could be a defining season for head coach Mike Elko’s tenure. The Aggies are hunting for consistency and a return to national relevance, and having a senior kicker with Lou Groza-level talent could be the difference in two or three close games. That’s the nature of college football in today’s landscape—every detail, every play, every point matters. And no position is more emblematic of that truth than kicker.
Scouts at the next level are taking notice as well. NFL teams increasingly value kickers who have experience under pressure and can deliver from distance. In that sense, this season could serve as both a collegiate curtain call and a professional audition. With a strong campaign, he could be among the rare specialists drafted—a feat that only a handful of kickers achieve each year.
Yet, those closest to him say he’s not thinking that far ahead. His focus is on the team, on winning, and on giving Texas A\&M every chance to compete. “I try to stay in the moment,” he said in a recent interview. “My job is to be ready when called on, no matter the situation. That’s what this team deserves, and that’s what I owe to the 12th Man.”
The 12th Man, ever-passionate and always vocal, has embraced him as one of their own. His jersey is among the most popular specialist items sold at the campus bookstore, and his name is often chanted when he trots onto the field. Not every kicker gets that kind of reception, but then again, not every kicker nails game-winners in Baton Rouge or knocks through 50-yarders like routine extra points. He has earned his spotlight, not through flash or fanfare, but through performance.
As the season approaches, the Lou Groza watch list serves as both recognition and motivation. For Texas A\&M’s senior kicker, it’s a reminder that the nation is watching—but more importantly, it’s a sign that his hard work, patience, and poise are paying off. With one final season ahead, he has the chance to not only claim the award outright, but to etch his name in the annals of Aggie football history as one of the greatest specialists the program has ever produced.
And if the past few seasons are any indication, there’s little doubt he’ll rise to the occasion—one kick at a time.
