Patrick Durkin, the transfer kicker now with Florida football, just got named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, and if you haven’t been paying attention, you’re absolutely missing out. This isn’t just another name on a list of 35 elite placekickers; this kid put up numbers at Tulane last season that should have everyone in college football buzzing about his move to Gainesville.
Durkin’s Dominance: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Last season with the Green Wave, Durkin absolutely balled out, nailing 25 of his 28 field goal attempts. Think about that for a second. That’s a ridiculous 89.3% accuracy, good for the second-best among all returning FBS kickers who hit at least 20 field goals. Oh, and he also went 41-for-42 on extra-point attempts. Talk about reliable! His 25 made field goals are also tied for the second most in that same elite group. This redshirt sophomore, originally from Chicago, is not just good, he’s consistently great. When a guy is hitting nearly 90% of his field goals, especially with that kind of volume, you know you’ve got a game-changer on your hands.
New City, Higher Stakes, Same Kicker?
Now, the big question for Durkin is how he translates that success to a “higher level” in a new town and new environment. Coach Johnathan Galante, Florida’s special teams coach, already spoke about it during his fall camp press conference. “He’s just getting comfortable and had a great season last year,” Galante said. “He transitions now to a whole new town, a whole new city, a whole new environment, higher level. And he did well. He finished better than he started spring ball and in the position he’s in right now, I’m very excited where he’s at.” You love to hear that confidence from the coaching staff. Durkin connected on three field goals during the Gators’ spring game back in April, though he did miss a 49-yard attempt as time expired. Hey, no one’s perfect, but the fact he was hitting multiple kicks already in a new system is super encouraging. This guy is poised to make a massive impact.
The Lou Groza Award itself is named for a true legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons and won four NFL championships with the Cleveland Browns. He was even NFL Player of the Year in 1954 and helped establish the kicker as a legitimate roster spot. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the award, fittingly expanding the watch list to 35 kickers. The committee looks at career achievements, stats, consistency, and projected impact.
So, what’s next? We’ll be watching Durkin’s season closely. The Groza Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on November 17, with the top three finalists dropping on November 24. Then, the moment of truth: the national winner gets announced on December 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. Get ready, college football fans, because Durkin could be bringing some serious thunder to Gainesville this fall, and he’s got his sights set on some major hardware.
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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