College Football’s 15 best place kickers of 2021
Texas kicker Cameron Dicker. Photo courtesy of the Alamo Bowl
It’s a position that requires an individual to deliver in the clutch.
Feeling no pressure in the biggest moments and having ice water in the veins is vital. Most kickers have to prove their worth before even being awarded a scholarship. However, there’s no denying how much they’re a valued asset in a team’s overall success.
These 15 student-athletes all had their fair share of heroic moments in 2020. Now they’re hoping to capitalize on last year’s momentum with additional success this fall.
15. Parker Lewis, USC: The former three-star prospect connected on nine field goals and made all 23 extra point attempts last season. Although Lewis didn’t attempt any field goals from 50 yards and beyond, he still showed a solid leg. Not to mention 22 of his 38 kickoffs went for touchbacks. The Phoenix native converted four field goals in the win at Utah. Lewis had a season-high, 48-yard field goal in the victory over Washington State. However, he only received Honorable Mention All-Pac-12. The Trojans are playing a full schedule this fall, so Lewis should put up better numbers.
14. Aaron Boumerhi, Boston College: The former Temple recruit had no stars behind his name out of high school. However, Boumerhi has blossomed into one of the ACC’s best kickers. He made 16 field goals last season and was money inside the 40-yard line. The Pennsylvania native nailed three field goals apiece against North Carolina, Syracuse and Notre Dame. Boumerhi doesn’t have elite leg power and missed two 50-yard attempts, but he’s dangerously accurate short range. The six-foot, 196-pounder should be clutch again for the Eagles in 2020.
13. Jack Podlesny, Georgia: He didn’t make Bulldog fans forget about Rodrigo Blankenship, but had a stellar season in 2020 nonetheless. Podlesny displayed a powerful leg and made all 38 of his extra point attempts. The Georgia native nailed three field goals in the victory over Tennessee and had a 50-yarder against Alabama. Not to mention Podlesny connected on three others, including a season-high, 53-yard field goal in the bowl win over Cincinnati. Not too shabby for a guy who had no stars out of high school. Don’t be shocked if Podlesny makes a 60-yarder this fall.
12. Jadon Redding, Utah: Coach Kyle Whittingham always fields elite kickers and punters because he pays close attention to special teams. Redding made eight field goals in five games last season and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. The Virginia native didn’t miss a kick in 2020, but never attempted any 50 yards and beyond. He nailed three field goals apiece in victories over Oregon State and Colorado. Redding also connected on a 44-yard field goal in the Senior Day win over Washington State. Expect solid play again on special teams from the Utes this upcoming season.
11. Nick Sciba, Wake Forest: Last season he finished 20th in the FBS in scoring. Sciba also converted all 31 of his extra point attempts. The South Carolina has a strong leg, but he’s not as accurate from long range, nor does he handle kickoffs. Sciba made four field goals in the victory over Virginia. The former three-star prospect nailed three kicks, including a season-high, 46-yard field goal in the win over Virginia Tech. The five-foot-nine, 188-pounder was good for nine points per game and finished last season with third-team All-ACC honors.
10. Cameron Dicker, Texas: The hometown kid finished 15th in the FBS in scoring last season. Dicker made two field goals apiece against Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas State and Colorado. Not to mention 61 of his 73 kickoffs went for touchbacks. Dicker nailed a 53-yard field goal in the bowl win over Colorado, which was a season-high. He made 50 of his 51 extra point attempts and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. ‘Dicker the Kicker’ is arguably one of the best nicknames in College football and he’s poised to deliver in the clutch again for the Longhorns.
9. Harrison Mevis, Missouri: The former three-star prospect made an immediate impact in the league as a true freshman last season. Mevis displayed amazing leg strength and accuracy. The Indiana native converted all 28 of his extra point attempts and nailed 17 field goals. He had three field goals in the win over Vanderbilt. Not to mention Mevis made a 52-yard field goal in the victory over LSU, which was a season-high. Mevis put together an incredible performance against Arkansas, when he connected on five field goals. He also earned Freshman All-SEC honors.
8. Charles Campbell, Indiana: The Tennessee native played a vital part in the Hoosiers’ unforgettable season in 2020. Campbell only missed one field goal and converted all of his 27 extra point attempts. He had two field goals in the opening win over Penn state. The former three-star prospect nailed three field goals in the victory at Rutgers. Campbell saved his best kick for last in the bowl loss to Ole Miss. The five-foot-nine, 171-pounder connected on a 53-yard field goal against the Rebels, which was a season-high. Campbell was clutch and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.
7. B.T. Potter, Clemson: The former three-star prospect finished 14th in the FBS in scoring last season. Potter has a strong leg and 73 of his 85 kickoffs went for touchbacks. He also converted 61 of his 62 extra point attempts. However, Potter needs to improve his accuracy from 50 yards and beyond. The South Carolina native made three kicks, including a season-high, 52-yard field goal in the opening win over Wake Forest. His worst game of the season came against Miami, when he missed four field goals. Potter redeemed himself in the loss at Notre Dame and nailed four field goals.
6. Connor Culp, Nebraska: The former LSU Tiger made a splash in the Big Ten last season. Culp converted all of his 20 extra point attempts and nailed 13 field goals in eight games. The Phoenix native made three field goals in the victory over Penn State. Culp also connected on three kicks, including a season-high, 49-yard field goal in the win at Purdue. He also handles kickoffs and 12 of his 40 attempts went for touchbacks. Culp made such a big impression that he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named the league’s Kicker of the Year. He’ll be a difference-maker in close games.
5. Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma: The Ohio native made a jaw-dropping, 20 field goals in 11 games last season. Brkic finished 10th in the FBS in scoring and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. Not too shabby for an individual who had no stars next to his name out of high school. Not to mention 29 of his 70 kickoffs went for touchbacks. He connected on all of his 46 extra point attempts. The six-foot-two, 198-pounder nailed three field goals in the loss to Iowa State and four in the win over TCU. Brkic best kick happened in the Big 12 Championship, when he had a season-high, 54-yard field goal.
4. Anders Carlson, Auburn: Last season he tied for first in SEC play, with 18 made field goals. Carlson converted 24 of his 25 extra point attempts and 37 of his 60 kickoffs went for touchbacks. The former three-star prospect displayed extreme leg strength with three field goals apiece against Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi State. Not to mention Carlson made a season-high, 50-yard field goal in the bowl loss to Northwestern. He’s basically money inside the 50-yard line and finished with second-team All-SEC honors for the Tigers.
3. Will Reichard, Alabama:The former three-star prospect made a field goal in nine of his team’s 13 games last season. Reichard converted all 84 of his extra point attempts and 14 of his 69 kickoffs went for touchbacks. The Alabama native finished 12th in the FBS in scoring and averaged 9.7 points per game. He received no All-SEC consideration for his success, but was one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker. Reichard nailed two kicks apiece in four different SEC games, including a season-high, 52-yard field goal against Georgia.
2. Cade York, LSU: The Texas native has arguably the strongest leg in the country and he’s deadly accurate. York tied for 22nd in the FBS in scoring and converted all of his 36 extra point attempts last season. The former three-star prospect put on his best performances in the Bayou Bengals’ last two games, nailing seven of his 18 field goals in those matchups. York made three kicks, including a season-high, 57-yard field goal in the win over Florida at the Swamp. He drilled four field goals in the finale win over Ole Miss. York earned first-team All-SEC and second-team AP All-America.
1. Jake Oldroyd, BYU: He had no stars next to his name out of high school, but delivered a monster campaign in 2020. Oldroyd made all of his 13 field goal attempts, including a 54-yarder, which was a season-high. The Texas native nailed all three of his kicks from 50 yards and beyond. Oldroyd also converted 60 of his 62 extra point attempts. His leg powers is phenomenal, which is why he earned third-team AP All-American honors and was one of three Lou Groza Award finalists. The six-foot-one, 195-pounder had two field goals apiece in victories over Navy, Troy, Western Kentucky and San Diego State. Not to mention Oldroyd has 32 career field goals under his belt.
Honorable Mention
John Hoyland, Wyoming: The Colorado native finished 19th in the FBS in scoring last season. Hoyland nailed 13 field goals, converted all of his 16 extra point attempts and earned Freshman All-American honors for the Cowboys.
