Texas State's Seth Keller, coming off one of the best kicking seasons in Bobcat history, was named to the 2022 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award Watch List, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Recently named Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team by coaches and media, Keller made the watch list of 30 kickers from across the country now being considered for the top kicker award. The Colleyville, Texas product was one of 11 kickers on the list who made at least 12 field goals in 2021 while also having an 83 percent success rate.
Keller, who was 15-of-18 on field goals last year and 32-of-32 on PATs, set the school record for field goals made in a season last year. He also finished fourth in the Sun Belt in field goals made and third in success rate (83.3 percent).
A former transfer from Cisco College in 2019, Keller is currently sixth in school history with 23 career field goals made.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, November 3. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 22. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 8 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 31st Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at the West Palm Beach Marriott on December 5.
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. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
The Bobcats, returning 19 starters from last year, start their 2022 season on the road at Nevada on September 3. The home opener is set for September 10 against FIU at 6 pm.