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Heading into the 2014 college football season, WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises, and the next fall’s stars could be the headline players next May for the 2015 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.
The Lou Groza Award is given to the best kicker in college football. Last year’s winner was Florida State kicker Robert Aguayo.
Lou Groza Award Winner:
Michael Hunnicutt, Oklahoma In 2013, Hunnicutt was 24-of-27 on his field goal attempts. He missed his only attempt over 50 yards, but made both kicks from over 40 yards. Hunnicutt was a reliable kicker for the Sooners in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He has made 84.4 percent of his field goal tries so far in his career. Hunnicutt was true on 21-of-24 attempts as a freshman in 2011 with a long of 53 yards. He also made 55-of-56 extra points. In 2012, Hunnicutt made 17-of-21 field goal attempts with a long of 45 yards. He was 57-of-59 on extra points. Hunnicutt should get a number of opportunities with Oklahoma’s improved offense. He is a consistent and steady kicker who could easily win the Groza Award.
Lou Groza Award Runner-Up:
Kyle Brindza, Notre Dame In 2013, Brindza was 20-for-26 in his field goal attempts (77 percent). He made three-of-four from 50 yards. Brindza missed two kicks in the 40s and one in the 30s. In his first season of action for the Fighting Irish, Brindza handled kickoffs. He took over field goal duties last year and was good on 23-of-31 attempts. The sophomore showed his leg strength with a long field goal of 52 yards. Brindza kicks in a tougher climate, but playing for a high-profile program could help him in postseason honors.
Lou Groza Award Dark Horse:
Jordan Williamson, Stanford Williamson needed to improve his accuracy in 2013 and did it. The junior was 18-of-22 (82 percent) on field goal attempts. Although he missed both attempts from 50+. Williamson was three-for-three in the 40s. As a sophomore in 2012, he connected on 17-of-27 field goals while going 45-of-46 on extra points. Williamson was 13-of-19 on field goals in 2011 with two missed extra points on 56 attempts.
Honorable Mentions: Oregon State’s Trevor Romiane, USC’s Andre Heidari, UAB’s Ty Long.
2014 Preseason All-American Projections:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | P/K
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Lombardi Award | Thorpe Award | Butkus Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Bednarik Award | Camp Award | Maxwell Award | Nagurski Award | Rodgers Award | Hornung Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | P/K
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Lombardi Award | Thorpe Award | Butkus Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Bednarik Award | Camp Award | Maxwell Award | Nagurski Award | Rodgers Award | Hornung Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
