Nov 2, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores place kicker Brock Taylor (88) attempts an extra point from the hold of punter Jesse Mirco (29) during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images John Reed-Imagn Images

Brock Taylor Named to Preseason Watch List

Originally posted on Vanderbilt Commodores on SI
By Graham Baakko | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 11:20 AM ET

Another Vanderbilt football player has been named to a preseason watch list.

Commodores kicker Brock Taylor was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List ahead of the 2025-2026 season. The award goes to the best kicker in college football at the end of each season and Taylor is one of 30 kickers named to the preseason list.

Taylor is coming off his first season of his collegiate career, though it was his sophomore season. He did not see game action during his freshman season, but did earn SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

In his first season kicking in the SEC, Taylor converted on 18 of his 21 field goal attempts, including a season-long field goal of 57 yards against Missouri. His kick was the longest field goal in the history of Vanderbilt football and was the longest field in the SEC since 2020.

Taylor’s 93 points he was responsible for last season was the second-most in school history. In just his first season alone, he set a program record for the most field made of 50 yards or longer with five.

This is not the first time Taylor has received recognition for his kicking skills. Last season, he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist for his performance before the award was given to Louisiana kicker Kenneth Almendares.

Taylor also earned All-SEC third team, SEC All-Freshman team and was recognized by The Athletic on its list of All-Freshman team last season.

Taylor, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, made 39 of his 40 extra point opportunities and recorded a touchdown on 25 of his 44 kickoffs.

As a recruit, the former Knoxville Catholic kicker was a consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals, ESPN and On3 Sports. Taylor was the No. 32 prospect from the state of Tennessee for the class of 2023 and was rated as the No. 5 kicker in his class by 247Sports.

Here is the full list of the preseason Lou Groza Watch List.