Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Bourgeois named to Lou Groza Award Watch List
8/7/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Middle Tennessee newcomer Dominic Bourgeois (BOOR-zhwah) is among 35 players selected to the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Watch List as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Friday.
While the Watch List typically is limited to evaluating the best kickers returning to FBS, with the increased movement of players between teams this year's group includes three remarkable kickers joining football's top division after excelling at lower levels: MTSU's Bourgeois (from D-III Susquehanna), Iowa junior Eli Ozick (from then-FCS North Dakota State), and Fresno State sophomore Manaki Watanabe (from D-II Ashland), along with Florida State senior Gabe Panikowski who in 2024 at FCS Idaho State won the Fred Mitchell Award for the top non-FBS kicker.
A senior from Baltimore, Md., Bourgeois led all kickers in NCAA Division III in made field goals last year with 20 while also collecting 27 touchbacks on kickoffs. In three years at Susquehanna, Bourgeois was a perfect 25-for-25 on field goals.
While the Watch List highlights 35 of the best returning kickers in the country, 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.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 17th. 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 24th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 10th during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 35th 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 banquet gala on December 7th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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 X/Twitter.
While the Watch List typically is limited to evaluating the best kickers returning to FBS, with the increased movement of players between teams this year's group includes three remarkable kickers joining football's top division after excelling at lower levels: MTSU's Bourgeois (from D-III Susquehanna), Iowa junior Eli Ozick (from then-FCS North Dakota State), and Fresno State sophomore Manaki Watanabe (from D-II Ashland), along with Florida State senior Gabe Panikowski who in 2024 at FCS Idaho State won the Fred Mitchell Award for the top non-FBS kicker.
A senior from Baltimore, Md., Bourgeois led all kickers in NCAA Division III in made field goals last year with 20 while also collecting 27 touchbacks on kickoffs. In three years at Susquehanna, Bourgeois was a perfect 25-for-25 on field goals.
While the Watch List highlights 35 of the best returning kickers in the country, 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.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 17th. 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 24th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, December 10th during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 35th 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 banquet gala on December 7th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
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 X/Twitter.
Players Mentioned
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