Graham Gano, a senior from Pensacola, Florida, was slated to become the first kicker in Bobby Bowden’s 33 years at Florida State to handle field goals, kick-offs and punts until two weeks before the start of the Seminoles’ season when he tore the meniscus in his right knee. After surgery and rehab, Gano was back on the field after missing just two games. He lined up for the first field goal attempt of his collegiate career from 52 yards, and missed that kick. It would be 55 days before he missed another field goal. Graham went on to make an FSU record 18 consecutive field goals, including five straight attempts from 50 yards or more. He is the only kicker in school history to convert over 90% of his field goals in a season.

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.