University of Connecticut Athletics
Chris Freeman Named to Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List
8/1/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
Husky Among Top 30 Kickers in the Nation on Preseason List
STORRS, CT - UConn place kicker Chris Freeman (Zionsville, IN) was named to the 30 player watch list for the 2025 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Freeman took over the kicking duties for the Huskies last season after transferring in from Indiana. Freeman had a slow start to the season, missing on his first three field goal attempts. From there, he rattled off 11-straight makes over a four-game stretch that included a 4-of-4 effort against Buffalo at home, both tying UConn school records. He also connected on a 53-yard field goal during that stretch, marking a new career high and becoming the longest field goal by a UConn kicker at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. He would match the 53-yard mark again in the regular season finale at UMass.
On the season, Freeman finished 20-of-26 on field goal attempts and made all 49 of his extra points. He finished the season with 109 points, the third-highest total in school history.
The Groza 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.
While the Watch List highlights 30 of the best returning kickers in the country, 2024 Lou Groza Award winner Kenneth Almendares was not on last year's list, proof that the Groza Committee will in fact be watching all FBS kickers throughout the season, as all FBS kickers remain eligible to be selected as semifinalists. The Committee also releases its "Stars of the Week" feature throughout the season on www.lougrozaaward.com.
