Mizzou kicker named to Lou Groza Award preseason watch list

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou's starting kicker is in contention for a prestigious honor at his position.

On Friday, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced that Blake Craig is among the 30 players on the 2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List, which honors the best kicker in college football.

Louisiana's Kenneth Almendares was crowned the Lou Groza Award winner last season.

Craig is one of 11 student-athletes on the award's preseason watch list who made more than 20 field goals last year, finishing the 2024 season with 24 successful attempts.

The Liberty North alum is entering his second season as the team's starting kicker, aiming to build on a successful redshirt-freshman campaign. Craig connected on 24-of-34 field goal attempts (.706) and 36-of-37 PAT's (.973) last season, including six kicks of 50+ yards. He owns a career-long field goal of 56 yards, which he achieved twice against Boston College and in the 2024 Music City Bowl against Iowa.

The Lou Groza Award's semifinalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 18.