The Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Friday its Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List, which included a member of the Florida Gators on this year’s roster. Kicker [autotag]Trey Smack[/autotag] got the nod for the first time in his collegiate career.
The junior out of Severna Park, Maryland, took over the starting job in Week 3 of the 2023 campaign at home against the Tennessee Volunteers. Smack finished out the season by going 17-for-21 (81%) in field goal attempts while boasting a 100% extra point mark on 29 attempts.
As a result of his efforts, he earned the Lou Groza Star of the Week honor twice (Week 4 and Week 7) while also being named a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2023.
The Orange and Blue have just one previous Lou Groza Award winner. Judd Davis took home the award in 1993 when he went 15-for-19 (79%) on field goal attempts while also chipping in 51 of 53 (96%) extra-point attempts.
Lou Groza Award overview
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and 20 semifinalists will be announced by the commission on Tuesday, Nov. 19. From this list, a panel of FBS head coaches, sports information directors, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers will select the top three finalists for the award, to be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 12, during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. The 33rd Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 9th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Lou Groza Award history
The award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a specialist kicker.
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