Palm Beach County Sports Commission

2012 Pre-season Lou Groza Award Watch List

In Alphabetical Order

Last Name

First Name

School

Year

2011 FGM

2011 FGA

2011 FG%

2011 Total PTS

Notes

Alleman

Drew

LSU

Sr.

16

18

88.9

110

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Alleman led the SEC in field goal percentage and ranked second in the nation among kickers with at least 10 attempts. Earned his second Star of the Week honor after accounting for all of LSU’s points in the Tigers’ 9-6 win over #2 Alabama in November, including the game-winner in overtime. After a bobbled snap on the first extra point attempt of the year, hit all 62 PATs the rest of the season.

Baer

Brett

Louisiana-Lafayette

Sr.

18

20

90.0

100

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Baer’s 90.0 field goal percentage was the highest in the nation among kickers with at least 10 attempts. Hit from a career-long 50 yards out as time expired to give the Ragin’ Cajuns a 32-30 win in the New Orleans Bowl. Earned second team All-Sun Belt honors as both a placekicker and punter. First kicker in ULL history to reach 100 points in a season. Owns a career 92.6 field goal percentage (25-for-27).

Basil

Drew

Ohio State

Jr.

16

19

84.2

84

Led the Big Ten in field goal percentage (84.2%) and finished second in field goals per game (1.23). Was perfect from within 40 yards, and made six field goals from beyond, the second-most in Ohio State history. Of his five career missed field goals, three came on attempts from 50 yards or longer.

Bitancurt

Tyler

West Virginia

Sr.

16

22

72.7

109

The 2011 Groza semifinalist finished with double-figure scoring games seven times, including hitting a bowl record 10-of-10 extra point attempts against Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Led all Big East players in scoring last season. Ranks 5th on WVU’s all-time kick scoring list with 260 career points.

Bonani

Maikon

South Florida

Sr.

19

26

73.1

99

With a 19-for-26 campaign in his third season, Bonani became South Florida’s all-time career field goal leader, his 51 far surpassing the previous record of 38. Finished 2nd in the Big East in scoring. Had a trio of 3 FG games. Finished 42-for-42 on extra points.

Boswell

Chris

Rice

Jr.

17

21

81.0

82

The 2011 Groza semifinalist has already been named to Phil Steele’s 2012 All-Conference USA preseason first team. Matched Rice’s season record with 17 field goals, and after just two years stands tied for 7th on the Owls’ all-time scoring list. Tied for second in the nation with three 50+ yard field goals, including a pair against Tulane.

Catanzaro

Chandler

Clemson

Jr.

22

27

81.5

118

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Catanzaro led all players in the ACC with 118 points scored. Hit nine field goals from 40-49 yards, tied for second-most in the nation. Kicked the winning field goal as time expired in Clemson’s 31-28 victory over Wake Forest, the first time since 2007 that the Tigers have won on a last-second field goal.

Conroy

Dan

Michigan State

Sr.

17

23

73.9

99

Followed up his 2010 Groza semifinalist season by kicking more field goals and more extra points in 2011. Capped off the year with a pair of field goals in overtime to give Michigan State a 33-30 win over Georgia in the Outback Bowl. Posted back-to-back 13-point games in November as the Spartans knocked off conference foes Iowa and Indiana.

Ewald

Mitch

Indiana

Jr.

13

16

81.3

69

Indiana’s career field goal percentage leader, Ewald was perfect from within 40 yards last season. Went 30-for-30 on extra points, and is now a perfect 63-for-63 in his career. Named an Academic All-Big Ten selection, and received honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team.

Fera

Anthony

Penn State

Jr.

14

17

82.4

62

Despite not taking over kicking duties until four games into the season, Fera earned 2011 Groza semifinalist honors with an efficient 14-for-17 performance. After PSU opened the year 1-for-6 on field goals, Fera added place-kicking to his punting duties and scored 62 points in just 10 games. Was one of three players to make both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy semifinalist lists.

Furney

Andrew

Washington State

Jr.

14

16

87.5

81

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Furney’s 14-for-16 season marked the best field goal percentage in Washington State history. Was a perfect 7-for-7 from beyond 40 yards, including a season-high 51 yarder in the season opener. Posted three double-digit scoring games, including a career-high 13 points while going 4-for-4 on field goals against UCLA. His 81 points led all Cougars, and ranks as the 7th best season by a Washington State kicker.

Gibbons

Brendan

Michigan

Jr.

13

17

76.5

93

Gibbons lifted Michigan to a Sugar Bowl win with his final kick of the season, giving the Wolverines a 23-20 overtime win and capping his third double-digit scoring game of the year. Scored 16 points against Minnesota, going 3-for-3 on field goals and 7-for-7 on extra points. Co-winner of the 2008 Palm Beach County High School Kicker of the Year award, also presented by the Lou Groza Award.

Griffin

Jack

Florida International

Sr.

22

26

84.6

102

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Griffin led the Sun Belt in kick scoring and finished tied for the most points by any player in the conference. His 22 field goals tied for 4th most in the nation. Had a stretch of six straight multi-FG games, including three consecutive games in which he kicked three field goals. Has not missed an extra point in his time at FIU, now sitting at a perfect 81-for-81.

Heidari

Andre

Southern California

So.

15

17

88.2

95

Among his many distinctions, Heidari was named a 2011 Groza semifinalist, an All-Pac-12 First Team member, and a First Team Freshman All-American by both CBS and Phil Steele. His 88.2 field goal percentage ranked third in the nation. Was a perfect 50-for-50 on extra points. Notched four double-digit scoring games, including a trio of 12-point games, all against conference foes.

Herrington

Parker

Air Force

Sr.

15

18

83.3

90

A first team member of the All-Mountain West Conference squad, Herrington topped all MWC kickers in field goal percentage and field goals per game. A model of consistency, Herrington tallied his 90 points by scoring between 5 and 10 points in each game of the season. Season-high three field goals in Air Force’s win over Army, while his extra point in overtime gave the Falcons a 35-34 win over Navy.

Hocker

Zach

Arkansas

Jr.

21

27

77.8

118

Led all SEC kickers with 118 points, a mark that also set the single-season Arkansas kick-scoring record. After just two seasons, his 222 career points are 6th in the Arkansas record books, while he enters the year as the Razorbacks’ career leader in field goal percentage at 80.4%. As part of the potent Arkansas offense, Hocker scored double-digit points in five games, including a pair of 14-point contests.

Hopkins

Dustin

Florida State

Sr.

22

27

81.5

110

A 2011 Lou Groza Award finalist and 2010 Groza semifinalist, Hopkins has put together a career that has a chance to end as the ACC’s all-time leading scorer. With 326 points, Hopkins is tied for 5th in the ACC record books, needing 68 points to become the conference’s all-time leading scorer. Led the ACC in kick-scoring per game for the second straight year, averaging 8.5 points per contest. Owns the nation’s longest streak of consecutive PATs, having made his last 130 extra points, dating back to Sept. 19, 2009.

Hunnicutt

Michael

Oklahoma

So.

21

24

87.5

118

Despite not becoming the school’s starting kicker until the 3rd game of the season, Hunnicutt matched Oklahoma’s single-season field goal mark with 21, the most ever by a freshman kicker in the Big 12. Tied the OU record for kick-scoring in a game with 17 points against Kansas, one of his six double-digit scoring games. First kicker in OU history to record two 4-FG games in the same season. Connected from 53 yards, the longest Sooner field goal under head coach Bob Stoops.

Long

Ty

UAB

So.

16

19

84.2

72

Named a third team Freshman All-American by Phil Steele. Led Conference USA in field goal percentage while finishing third in field goals per game. Did not miss a kick within 43 yards. Kicked a pair of game-winning field goals, including the kick to beat #20 Southern Miss, UAB’s third win ever over a ranked opponent.

Maher

Brett

Nebraska

Sr.

19

23

82.6

100

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Maher became the first kicker since 2001 to be named both the Big Ten Kicker of the Year and Punter of the Year. Named a first team All-American by Yahoo. Did not miss a kick with 50 yards during the regular season. Tied for second-most field goals in a season in Nebraska history. Finished third in the Big Ten with 7.7 points per game.

McIntosh

Craig

Kentucky

Sr.

12

14

85.7

56

Finished second in the SEC in field goal percentage. Led the Wildcats in scoring with 56 points. Streak of seven consecutive made field goals is third-longest in Kentucky history, just behind his own 2010 streak of eight straight makes. McIntosh’s field goal was the difference as Kentucky snapped a 26-game losing streak to conference rival Tennessee with a 10-7 victory.

Meyer

Mike

Iowa

Jr.

14

20

70.0

86

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Meyer’s 86 points were good for second on the Hawkeyes and ninth in the Big Ten. Was named a Groza Star of the Week for his performance against rival Iowa State, in which Meyer went 4-for-4 on field goals (including a season-long 50 yarder) and 3-for-3 on extra points. Was 44-for-44 on extra points and has now made 53 straight PATs.

Newman

Jimmy

Wake Forest

Sr.

17

22

77.3

90

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Newman has led Wake Forest in scoring in each of his three seasons. After having his school-record field goal streak snapped at 13, connected on his next 14 to set a new mark. Most accurate kicker in school history (40-for-52, 76.9%). Ranked third in the ACC in points scored.

Parkey

Cody

Auburn

Jr.

13

18

72.2

80

Named third team All-SEC by Phil Steele. Led Auburn in points scored, finishing eighth among all players in the SEC. Tied for SEC lead in field goals made from 40-49 yards with six. 12 of his 13 field goals came from 31 yards or further. Winner of the 2009 Palm Beach County High School Kicker of the Year award, also presented by the Lou Groza Award.

Sharp

Quinn

Oklahoma State

Sr.

22

25

88.0

145

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Sharp was also named a first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. First player in conference history to be first team All-Big 12 at both kicker and punter in the same season. Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. Led all kickers in points scored with 145, the 5th highest total of any player in the country. 88.0% field goal accuracy was the highest mark of any kicker with at least 20 made field goals.

Shelley

Jeremy

Alabama

Sr.

21

27

77.8

115

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Shelley put together the second-highest scoring season by a kicker in Alabama history. Capped the season with a record-setting five field goal performance in the BCS Championship Game, accounting for 15 of the Crimson Tide’s 21 points. Finished second in the SEC in kick-scoring per game.

Sturgis

Caleb

Florida

Sr.

22

26

84.6

97

A finalist for the Groza award in 2011 and semifinalist in 2009, Sturgis was named a first team All-American by ESPN and second team by CBS, Yahoo, Sports Illustrated, Rivals, the Walter Camp Foundation and the Associated Press. His 1.83 field goals per game are the most by any kicker returning in 2012. Made three kicks from 50 yards or further, tied for second-most in the nation, and holds the Gators’ all-time record with five career makes from 50+ yards. Ranks fourth on Florida’s all-time scoring list with 234 career points.

Weller

Matt

Ohio

Sr.

25

34

73.5

123

Named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and an Academic All-MAC Team member. Finished second in the nation with 25 field goals, breaking his own Ohio record. Set Ohio’s single-season record with 123 points. Holds Ohio’s all-time career records for both field goals and extra points. Opens the season just 12 points away from becoming Ohio’s all-time leading scorer.

Wieclaw

Jake

Miami (FL)

Sr.

11

14

78.6

72

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Wieclaw didn’t miss a kick until the middle of October, opening the season perfect on both field goals and extra points through the Hurricanes’ first six games. Stayed perfect on extra points all season, going 39-for-39. Kicked the winning field goal as time expired to give Miami a 6-3 victory over in-state rival South Florida.

Williamson

Jordan

Stanford

So.

13

19

68.4

93

A 2011 Groza semifinalist, Williamson was named second team All-Pac-12 in his first season kicking for Stanford. Led all Pac-12 kickers with 9.3 points per game, the second highest mark of any player in the conference. Went 11-for-12 to open the season, including a 17-point performance against Washington, before missing the next three games due to injury.