University Southern California Trojans
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Photo by: Max Wood
USC Kicker Ryon Sayeri Named to Lou Groza Award Watch List
August 07, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC kicker Ryon Sayeri was named to the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Watch List, today (Aug. 7).
Sayeri is one of 35 kickers to be honored on the watch list.
A 2025 Groza semifinalist, Sayeri stepped into the starting job as a redshirt freshman and proceeded to set USC's single-season field goal record with 21 (previous record was 19). His 54-yarder against Michigan in 2025 matched the second-longest field goal in program history. He capped off his stellar first season by going 4-for-4 against TCU in the Alamo Bowl. He also handled kickoff duties.
While appearing in all 13 games, he hit 21-of-25 field goals and all 48 of his PAT tries. He totaled 89 kickoffs for 5,715 yards (64.2 avg.) with 63 touchbacks. He was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Accomplishments of the kickers are tabulated throughout the season, and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, Nov. 17. From that list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers will select the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24. That same group will then select the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 35th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, will recognize the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a banquet gala on Dec. 7 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Sayeri is one of 35 kickers to be honored on the watch list.
A 2025 Groza semifinalist, Sayeri stepped into the starting job as a redshirt freshman and proceeded to set USC's single-season field goal record with 21 (previous record was 19). His 54-yarder against Michigan in 2025 matched the second-longest field goal in program history. He capped off his stellar first season by going 4-for-4 against TCU in the Alamo Bowl. He also handled kickoff duties.
While appearing in all 13 games, he hit 21-of-25 field goals and all 48 of his PAT tries. He totaled 89 kickoffs for 5,715 yards (64.2 avg.) with 63 touchbacks. He was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Accomplishments of the kickers are tabulated throughout the season, and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, Nov. 17. From that list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists and current NFL kickers will select the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24. That same group will then select the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 35th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, will recognize the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a banquet gala on Dec. 7 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
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