EAST RUTHERFORD - Dominic Zvada was automatic this spring, proving he deserved the chance to challenge to become the starting kicker for the New York Giants. It's as if the undrafted rookie from the University of Michigan could not miss, no matter the distance nor the audience, considering all eyes were on him as the competition for one spot between Zvada and second-year pro Ben Sauls began to play out. So as Zvada jogged onto the practice field at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia for the first time on July 29, there was no reason to believe he would fail to knock his initial field goal attempt of training camp through the uprights. When the football, despite being struck cleanly, managed to sail wide right, the reality of the game hit home. Safe to say the Giants were eager to see how Zvada would react and respond. “It’s just part of it − you’re gonna miss eventually,” Zvada said with a shrug in an exclusive interview with NorthJersey.com and The Record for the "All In with Art Stapleton" podcast. “No jitters. Just come out here and do what I’ve always done, same routine, and keep that next kick mentality – put the next one through. You can’t let one kick define you.” Especially not the first one Zvada attempted this summer, not if he wants to stick with the Giants and show he can handle everything that comes with performing at the highest level in the NFL. But what about the most recent kick Zvada took in camp to end Wednesday's practice? You'd think that field goal will have an impact. That's because, at the urging of Cam Skattebo and Isaiah Likely, among others, Giants coach John Harbaugh decided to send Zvada out for a 62-yarder to close out a highly-spirited overtime session between the offense and defense. "I thought he was going to make it," Harbaugh said, and Zvada not only knocked the kick through, he did it with room to spare, albeit with the Meadowlands winds at his back. "He does have a big leg," Harbaugh said, "but the bottom line is you got to kick it straight consistently. So, having a big leg is a big deal. Kicking it straight consistently is a bigger deal."
Zvada and Sauls − also undrafted last season − are battling each other and learning together with the Giants after former Pro Bowler Graham Gano was released following six seasons. Veteran Jason Sanders signed with the Giants this offseason, but Zvada − and to a lesser extent, Sauls − beat him out, leading to his exit. Zvada, 22, has been outstanding in camp after missing not the one, but two of his first three tries. Following a 7-for-7 outing Wednesday, including that final exclamation point from deep, the tally for Zvada in camp is impressive. He's made 54 of 58 attempts, and from a variety of distances and scenarios. Since those two misses on the opening day of camp, Zvada has made 39 of his last 41 kicks. 'Smooth as water' is the key to Dominic Zvada's mindset Watch Zvada kick and "smooth" is the best descriptor. He says central to a mindset developed through the years that helps with consistency and routine. “I’m standing on the sideline, in my stance, waiting to go out for a kick, and I’m just thinking, ‘Smooth as water, smooth and fast,’” Zvada says. “And if you keep it smooth, when the lights come on, things are gonna stay smooth, they’ll stay consistent hopefully and you’re able to put [the kick] through.” Zvada has hit a 70-yard field goal in practice prior to signing with the Giants. At Michigan, he hit from 56 yards four times and missed from 61, the longest he has ever attempted. The 6-foot-3, 178-pound Zvada could have been drafted had he left Michigan after making 21 of 22 field goals in 2024. This spring, he did not miss a field goal in six practices attended by the media, showing a strong leg and a competitive streak. "Whatever kick they give me," says Zvada, "it’s my job to make it." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How a rookie kicker's mindset and booming leg fuels Giants camp battle