Boston College Athletics
Luca Lombardo Named to 2026 Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List
August 07, 2026 | Football
Westport, Conn. native was a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2025
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Eagles kicker Luca Lombardo was named to the 2026 Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Friday.Â
A 2025 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, Lombardo made 16-of-17 field goals and all 35 extra points attempted leading to All-ACC Honorable Mention honors. His 94.1% accuracy last year was the best by a returning FBS kicker who also had a long-distance make, which he did twice, hitting from 51 and 52 yards.
Lombardo played in four games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury, making the one field goal he attempted. The Westport, Conn. native won the kickoff specialist job in 2023, joining the program right before the regular season after initially playing soccer at Syracuse.Â
The 35th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a banquet gala on December 7th in West Palm Beach, Florida. The award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.Â
A 2025 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, Lombardo made 16-of-17 field goals and all 35 extra points attempted leading to All-ACC Honorable Mention honors. His 94.1% accuracy last year was the best by a returning FBS kicker who also had a long-distance make, which he did twice, hitting from 51 and 52 yards.
Lombardo played in four games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury, making the one field goal he attempted. The Westport, Conn. native won the kickoff specialist job in 2023, joining the program right before the regular season after initially playing soccer at Syracuse.Â
The 35th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a banquet gala on December 7th in West Palm Beach, Florida. The award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.Â
Players Mentioned
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