The Ohio State kicking game has been the brunt of jokes over the last few seasons because of some clutch misses, but the OSU coaching staff is hoping that comes to an end after dipping into the transfer portal to land former Baylor placekicker Connor Hawkins.
And while it doesn't mean anything about how things will ultimately go on the field, Hawkins was one of the names appearing on the Lou Groza preseason watch list when it was unveiled last week.
Originally out of Liberty Hill, Texas, Hawkins spent the last two years at Baylor, but was redshirted after very limited action in 2024. Last season, Hawkins made 18-of-22 field goals (81.8%) and was successful in all 37 extra point attempts. What might be news to Buckeye fans is the fact that his longest was a 54-yarder, something OSU hasn't seen in a long, long time. He led the Big 12 in field goal percentage last season.
The Lou Groza Award has been around since 1992 and is awarded to the top college football placekicker annually by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award is named after former OSU and Cleveland Browns kicker Lou Groza. Mike Nugent is the only Ohio State player to have won the award, and that occurred back in 2004 when Nugent was a consensus All-American.
Recognition for one of college football’s top kickers. @connor_hawk1ns is on the Lou Groza Award Watch List. pic.twitter.com/l7DW76PxjD
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 7, 2026
These watch lists can -- and will -- change throughout the college football season, with the winner being announced on December 11 as part of ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State kicker makes Lou Groza preseason watch list for 2026