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Wisconsin football’s starting kicker, Nathanial Vakos, was included on the 2024 Lou Groza Award watch list on Friday.
As of Aug. 1, Vakos is among five Badger playmakers to receive preseason watch list honors for positional awards. He joins punter Atticus Bertrams, linebacker Christian Alliegro, cornerback Ricardo Hallman and wide receiver Vinny Anthony.
Established in 1992, the Lou Groza Award annually recognizes the best place-kicker in college football. Notable collegiate alumni to receive the recognition include Michigan’s Jake Moody (2021), Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship (2019), Utah’s Matt Gay (2017), UCLA’s Ka’imi Fairbairn (2015), Tulane’s Cairo Santos (2012) and Tulane’s Sebastian Janikowski (1998-99).
Like in 2024, just 30 place-kickers from across the nation netted a watch list nomination. Including Vakos, a total of five Big Ten kickers appeared on the 30-player group.
The award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Nov. 18, from which a panel of Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches, media members, sports information directors, current NFL kickers and former Lou Groza Award finalists will pinpoint their top three selections. One athlete will receive the honor during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.
Vakos enters his third season as a Badger after logging 12 appearances for the team in 2024. The Avon, Ohio, native went 12-of-19 on field goals, including a perfect 3-for-3 mark from 50+ yards. He also nailed all 31 of his extra point attempts. In the process, he became the program’s all-time leader in 50+ yard field goals with four.
In 25 career games, Vakos has converted on 27 of his 38 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards. His 15-of-19 field goal conversion rate, 34-of-34 mark on extra points and 14-of-15 rate from inside 50 yards in 2023 was enough to make him a Lou Groza Award…
Source link : https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/badgers/football/2025/08/02/wisconsin-kicker-nathanial-vakos-watch-list/85486276007/
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Publish date : 2025-08-02 13:45:00
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