James Turner Named To Lou Groza Watch List

Mark BlankenbakerJuly 27, 2021

University of Louisville sophomore James Turner was one of 30 players, including five from the Atlantic Coast Conference, named to the watch list for the 2021 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Tuesday.

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.

In his first season as the team’s placekicker, Turner earned All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades after going 13-of-15 on field goal attempts and was a perfect 40-of-40 on extra point attempts. His 86.7 percentage on field goals finished as the third best mark in school history.

He closed the season by connecting on eight consecutive field goals, which is tied for the ninth-longest streak in school history. Both of his misses came from 50 or more yards.

Turner was 5-for-5 on kicks from 40 or more yards, including a career long 50-yarder in a 30-0 win over Syracuse as part of a three-field goal afternoon. He booted a previous career best 48-yard field in a loss at Virginia.

While the Watch List highlights 30 of the best returning kickers in the country, the Groza Committee will be watching all FBS kickers throughout the season, and releasing a weekly “Stars of the Week” feature on www.lougrozaaward.com. All FBS kickers remain eligible to be selected as semifinalists.

Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Thursday, November 4^th. 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 23^rd. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 9^th during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

The 30^th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet at West Palm Beach’s Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on December 6^th.

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.

For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.