The Preseason Watchlist will be announced Friday, August 7, 2026, and will highlight 35 elite placekickers set to return to college football. The list often includes previous Lou Groza Award winners, finalists, semi-finalists, and other promising prospects selected based on past performance. In recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Lou Groza Award, this year’s watchlist was expanded to include 35 kickers, symbolizing 35 years of honoring college football’s premier placekicker. The selection committee evaluated returning kickers from across the nation based on career achievements, statistical performance, consistency, and projected impact for the upcoming season. Keep an eye out for these star kickers throughout the season.