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Gators PK Trey Smack named to Lou Groza Award watch list

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr08/01/25On3Keith
Florida Gators kicker Trey Smack
Photo courtesy of UF Communications

Trey Smack has been one of college football’s most consistent placekickers in recent years. Now, he is again being recognized for his stellar play.

Smack, a senior from Severna Park (Md.), on Friday was named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award, which goes annually to the best placekicker in the country. To anyone who has followed Smack’s career, this should come as no surprise.

Smack was named second-team preseason all-conference two weeks ago at SEC Media Days. He made 18 out of 21 field goal attempts (with a long of 55 yards) and all 44 extra point attempts last year. He was a Lou Groza Semifinalist in 2023.

Per a Florida Gators release, “Smack has been named to the preseason watch list for the second time in his career, after making it as a semifinalist in 2023. Although he was not named to the list in 2024, Smack improved in almost every aspect to give himself a strong position for the award heading into the 2025 season. In 2024, Smack played as the Gators’ primary kicker in all 13 games and made 18 of 21 field goal attempts. The longest attempt being 55-yards. Smack remained perfect in PATs for the second straight season accumulating 44 extra points in 2024 and a total of 73 extra points over two seasons.”

Trey Smack has impressed his coach at UF

Florida Gators special teams coordinator Joe Houston, who spent four seasons with the New England Patriots before landing at UF last year, said Smack is “definitely NFL talent.” The key, he added, is “managing those expectations by staying present.” According to Houston, Smack has added to his range this offseason.

The 30-player watch list for the Groza Award will be narrowed down to 20 semifinalists on Nov. 18. From the semifinalists, three finalists will be announced Nov. 25, with the winner being selected Dec. 12.

Gator great Judd Davis won the award in 1993. He’s the lone Florida player to claim it.

2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List

AthleteYearSchool
Upton BellenfantJuniorTexas Tech
Mateen BhaghaniJuniorUCLA
Randy BondGraduateTexas A&M
Lucas CarneiroJuniorOle Miss
Caden ChittendenSophomoreUSC
Blake CraigSophomoreMissouri
Jonah DelangeJuniorUAB
Dom DziobanSeniorMiami (OH)
Will Ferrin   SeniorBYU
Chris FreemanGraduateUConn
Max GilbertSophomoreTennessee
Jesus GomezSeniorArizona State
Nolan HauserSophomoreClemson
Kyle KonradySophomoreIowa State
John LoveJuniorVirginia Tech
Dylan Lynch   SeniorFresno State
Laith Marjan SeniorKansas
Alex McPhersonJuniorAuburn
Gabe PanikowskiSeniorOklahoma State
Damian RamosSeniorLSU
Collin RogersSeniorSMU
Tate SandellJuniorOklahoma
Mason ShipleySeniorTexas
Trey SmackSeniorFlorida
Drew StevensSeniorIowa
Brock TaylorJuniorVanderbilt
Nathanial VakosSeniorWisconsin
Clune Van AndelJuniorArkansas State
Peyton WoodringJuniorGeorgia
Dominic ZvadaSeniorMichigan

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