TCU place-kicker Griffin Kell completed the special teams watch list trifecta when he was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List on Wednesday. Earlier this week, long snapper Brett Matiscik was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List (for the nation’s best long snapper), and punter Jordy Sandy was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List (best punter).
Since 1992, the Lou Groza Award has been presented to the nation’s top collegiate place-kicker. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission presents it. The award is named in honor of one of the all-time great kickers in football history, Lou Groza. After serving in World War II, Groza signed with the Cleveland Browns in 1946. A six-time all-pro tackle, Groza earned fame and his famous nickname, “The Toe,” as a kicker. In 1950 Groza won the NFL championship game for the Browns by kicking a field goal with 28 seconds left. That was just the first of what would turn out to be four championships that Groza and the Cleveland Browns shared.
TCU’s Michael Reeder won the Lou Groza Award in 1995.
Last year’s award went to Christopher Dunn of NC State. Other Big 12 players on this year’s watch list include Bert Auburn (Texas), Colton Boomer (UCF), and Seth Keller (Kansas).
A total of 34 place-kickers were named to this year’s preseason watch list. For the complete list, click here.
Kell was First-Team All-Big 12 last season as he went 17-of-19 on field goals, including a 40-yard kick as time expired to beat Baylor, 29-28, and provide one of the nation's most memorable plays of the year.
Kell’s 89.5 made percentage tied for 14th nationally, while his 12 consecutive makes equaled the fifth-best streak in TCU history. He had a career-long 54-yard field goal against Iowa State and made a season-best three field goals in the 43-40 double-overtime win over Oklahoma State. His fourth quarter 33-yard field goal provided TCU's final points in the 51-45 College Football Playoff Semifinal win over Michigan.
Earlier this summer, Kell was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Teams by the Big 12, Athlon Sports, and Phil Steele. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has also named him to their Preseason All-Texas Team.
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