Graham Nicholson Named to Lou Groza Award Watchlist

Alabama Football looks to add a trophy to their program, as last year's winner aims to make history.

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Graham Nicholson has been announced to the Lou Groza Award Watchlist for this upcoming season.

Nicholson started his collegiate career at Miami (Ohio). Nicholson reached new heights during his junior season for Miami (Ohio) in 2023. He made 27 out of 28 field goals, and 35 out of 37 extra points, totaling 116 points. He beat out Alabama kicker Will Reichard for the coveted kicking trophy.

Now in his senior season for the Crimson Tide, Nicholson looks to become the second placekicker in history to repeat as a winner of the Lou Groza Award.

Other players on the Lou Groza Watchlist include:

• Chase Allen, UTSA
• Bert Auburn, Texas
• Will Bettridge, Virginia
• Aidan Birr, Georgia Tech
• Randy Bond, Texas A&M
• Andres Borregales, Miami (FL)
• Noah Burnette, North Carolina
• Jonah Dalmas, Boise State
• Matthew Dapore, Air Force
• Caden Davis, Ole Miss
• Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State
• Grady Gross, Washington
• John Hoyland, Wyoming
• Michael Hughes, Appalachian State
• Dragan Kesich, Minnesota
• Michael Lantz, Georgia Southern
• Tyler Loop, Arizona
• John Love, Virginia Tech
• Dylan Lynch, Fresno State
• Alex McPherson, Auburn
• Chase Meyer, Tulsa
• Todd Pelino, Duke
• Mason Shipley, Texas State
• Matthew Shipley, Arkansas
• Trey Smack, Florida
• Drew Stevens, Iowa
• Nathanial Vakos, Wisconsin
• Peyton Woodring, Georgia
• Dominic Zvada, Michigan

All 10 returning FBS kickers who made more than 20 field goals last season are among the players on the watchlist.

If you want accuracy, both of last year's kickers are on the watchlist. Shipley went 15-for-15, with McPherson going 13-for-13.

Four other returning kickers who contested at least 15 field goals and completed them with more than 90% accuracy are listed if you are looking for consistency. Nicholson (96.4), Burnette (95.0), Love (91.7), and Fitzgerald (90.5).

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission annually presents this award to the best placekicker in college football.

The Lou Groza Award is named after NFL kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza.

Groza played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns, competing in both the AAFC and NFL. He won eight championships (1946–49, 1950, 1954, 1955) and set multiple franchise records, including most points scored, most games played, 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point and a career total of 1,608 points.

This award pays tribute to his life, accomplishments, and the challenge he left for aspiring kickers today.

Chase Brumfield is the morning producer and writer for Tide 100.9. He is currently a senior studying communications at Mississippi State University. Follow Chase for more Alabama content on X at @cb3864.