Texas Longhorns
Liberty Hill, TX
Senior
Deer Park, TX
Senior
Arizona State Sun Devils
Zane Gonzalez finished his four-year career as the all-time FBS leader in both field goals and points by a kicker. In 2016, his 23-for-24 season led the nation in both number and accuracy of field goals. Those kicks came from an average of 40.9 yards away, hitting a national-best 13 from at least 40 yards and a remarkable 7-for-8 from over 50. That mark, the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, including the longest field goal of the year, a 59-yarder that was also the kick to give him the all-time record for career points by a kicker. That game against Colorado stands as one of the most impressive ever, as all three of his kicks came from beyond 50 yards, tying the FBS mark for most long-distance kicks in one game. Only three other kickers in 2016 have as many 50-yard field goals all season as he hit in that one game.
Mascotte, FL
Junior
Florida State Seminoles
Roberto Aguayo proved more than capable of carrying on the lineage of great kickers at Florida State. During his freshman year Aguayo made the first 70 kicks in his career, setting the Seminoles’ all-time record for consecutive makes. While his only missed field goal of the year broke that streak, he had made all 84 of his extra point attempts, setting the FBS record for most consecutive PATs in one season. Combined with his 18 field goals, that gave him 138 points on the season, the most by any kicker in the nation and the third-most by any player at any position.
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TCU Horned Frogs
Michael Reeder became the first sophomore to win the Lou Groza Award after a 1995 season that saw him kick 23 field goals, a Texas Christian record, as well as 20 extra points. Reeder further entrenched himself in the long annuals of TCU football by making a school record 13 consecutive field goals. He did not miss a field goal inside of 39 yards, and was often called the Horned Frogs’ security blanket. For his efforts, Reeder was named a consensus All-American. Reflecting on his magical 1995 season, Reeder said, “It means that for at least one year, I was the best college kicker in the country. The countless hours of practice paid off.”