Tennessee junior kicker Cooper Ranvier earned a spot on the 2026 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award watch list, an announcement that dropped Friday from the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. This isn’t just some random nod either; the guy’s got the stats to back it up, and if his previous season at Louisville is any indication, he’s about to make some serious noise for the Volunteers.
This Kicker Can Straight Up Ball Out
You wanna know why Ranvier is on this elite list? Look no further than his 2025 season with the Cardinals. Dude converted an insane 21-of-25 field goal attempts, which is a killer percentage. Think about that for a second: he was money almost every time he stepped on the field. Not only that, he was nearly perfect on extra points, hitting 39-of-41 attempts. But here’s the kicker, pun intended, that really tells you everything: he was 6-of-7 on field goals from 40-49 yards out! That’s clutch range, and he delivered. That kind of leg strength and accuracy from deep is no joke. He transferred to Tennessee in January, so he’s new to the Vols but clearly bringing that heat with him. No surprise he earned a Third-Team All-ACC selection last year.
The Groza Award: Big Stakes, Tough Competition
Being on the Lou Groza watch list is a huge deal. This award has been recognizing the nation’s top collegiate place-kicker for 35 years, presented by the Orange Bowl itself. And let’s be real, it’s named after Lou Groza, a legend who won four NFL championships in his 21 seasons with Cleveland. Ranvier isn’t just some guy on a list; he’s one of only 11 SEC kickers to make the cut. That’s serious company. The process is a grind: 20 semifinalists get announced on Nov. 17, then they narrow it down to the top three finalists by Nov. 24. The national winner will be unveiled on Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards. It’s a long road, but Ranvier has three years of eligibility left, so this is just the beginning for him.
Keep your eyes peeled, folks. Ranvier’s already put the league on notice with his watch list inclusion. With his track record from 2025, you gotta believe he’s eyeing those semifinalist and finalist spots later this fall. Can he go all the way? If he keeps kicking like he did last year, there’s no reason why not.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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