UCF sophomore kicker Colton Boomer has been named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List, given annually to the nation’s top kicker, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Wednesday.
Boomer finished the 2022 season nearly perfect on field-goal attempts (14-of-15) with the only miss on an inadvertent snap on an attempt to draw the defense offside. The Lake Mary, Florida, product made his first 10 field goals and was eighth in the nation with a 93% field goal percentage.
He tied the UCF single-game record with four field goals in the Knights’ 27-10 victory against Georgia Tech, converting from 21, 31, 37 and 43 yards.
Boomer was tabbed a third team All-American Athletic Conference selection by Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, November 9th. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 28th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced in December during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 32nd 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 4th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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 kicker.
For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.