The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top college football placekicker in the United States by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns player Lou Groza. It has been presented since 1992, with Joe Allison of Memphis State receiving the inaugural award. The incumbent award holder is Graham Nicholson of Miami University. The award is part of the National College Football Awards Association coalition.
Louis Roy Groza, nicknamed "the Toe", was an American professional football offensive tackle and placekicker while playing his entire career for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL). Groza was professional football's career kicking and points leader when he retired after the 1967 season. He played in 21 seasons for the Browns, helping the team to win eight league championships in that span. Groza's accuracy and strength as a kicker influenced the development of place-kicking as a specialty; he could kick field goals from beyond 50 yards (46 m) at a time when attempts from that distance were a rarity. He set numerous records for distance and number of field goals kicked during his career.
The Ole Miss Rebels football program represents the University of Mississippi, also known as "Ole Miss". The Rebels compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Rebels play their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium on the university's campus in Oxford, Mississippi.
Stewart Patridge is a former American football quarterback best known as the leader of the University of Mississippi Rebels from 1995 to 1997. He won the 1997 Conerly Trophy as the best college football player in the state.
Bobby Ray Franklin is a former football safety for the Cleveland Browns. He played as a quarterback for Ole Miss in college, and was the head football coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He has been named to seven Halls of Fame for his athletic and coaching accomplishments.
The 2003 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by David Cutcliffe, the Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.
Jonathan Ruffin is an American former football placekicker who played three seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, where he won the Lou Groza Award and was recognized as an All-American. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2003, and he played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe and the New Orleans VooDoo of the AFL.
Joshua Norwood Jasper is a former American football placekicker.
The 2012 Tulane Green Wave football team represented Tulane University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by first-year head coach Curtis Johnson. The Green Wave played home games in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and competed in the West Division of Conference USA. This was their final season in Conference USA as the prepared to move to the American Athletic Conference. They finished the season 2–10, 2–6 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for fifth place in the West Division.
Judd Dillon Davis is an American former football kicker who played for the Florida Gators, where he won the Lou Groza Award.
The 1962 Ole Miss Rebels football team was an American football team that represented the University of Mississippi in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. In their 16th year under head coach Johnny Vaught, the Rebels compiled a perfect 10–0 record, outscored opponents by a total of 247 to 53, won the SEC championship, and defeated Arkansas in the 1963 Sugar Bowl. To date, it is the only undefeated and untied season in Ole Miss football history.
John Christian Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa "Kaʻimi" Fairbairn is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Playing college football at UCLA, he was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior, when he was also awarded the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top college kicker in 2015. After winning the kicking position as a true freshman, Fairbairn became the Pac-12 Conference record holder for the most career points scored. Undrafted out of college, he signed with Houston as a free agent and was named their starting kicker the following year in 2017.
Shea Christopher Patterson is an American football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels (2016–2017) and the Michigan Wolverines (2018–2019). He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He was drafted in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers and they retain his rights until 2024. The Michigan Panthers drafted Patterson with the first pick in the 2022 USFL draft. He has also played with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).
The 2019 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented The University of Mississippi in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by third-year head coach Matt Luke.
Zac Roper is an American football coach. He is currently the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Florida International University, and was previously the offensive coordinator at Duke University. Prior to this, Roper had spent the majority of his career as a special teams coordinator. He worked with staffs at Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Cornell before joining the Duke staff for the 2008 season.
Matthew Anthony Corral is an American football quarterback for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for Ole Miss and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.
DeMarquis Larenz Gates is an American football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.
Elijah Danilo Moore is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ole Miss and was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Anders Bjorn Carlson is an American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn. As a placekicker, he has been recognized as both a high school and collegiate All-American, as well as an All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) First Team and Lou Groza Award semifinalist selection.
Quinshon A. Judkins is an American football running back who will play for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He previously played for the Ole Miss Rebels.
