CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Six Atlantic Coast Conference place-kickers have been named to the 2026 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Preseason Watch List, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Friday.
The ACC is one of only three conferences with six or more kickers represented on the 35-player preseason watch list.
Presented by the Orange Bowl, the 35th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award recognizes the nation's top place-kicker. The award is named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns and helped establish the place-kicker as a specialized position in football.
2026 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Watch List – ACC Selections
- Luca Lombardo, Sr., PK, Boston College
- Nolan Houser, Jr., PK, Clemson
- Gabe Panikowski, Sr., PK, Florida State
- Aidan Birr, Sr., PK, Georgia Tech
- Jack Olsen, Sr., PK, Miami
- Will Bettridge, Gr., PK, Virginia
The Lou Groza Award selection committee will evaluate all FBS kickers throughout the season before announcing 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 17. Three finalists will be revealed on Tuesday, November 24, with the winner announced during
The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 10, on ESPN.