College football’s 15 best place kickers of 2026

They are the players who deserve more recognition for what they accomplish on the gridiron.

Kickers have to deliver in the clutch for their teams, and they have a slim margin for error. Rowdy road crowds, noise levels and weather conditions all come with the territory. Having a short term memory, and being unfazed by distractions goes a long way in their success.

Length and accuracy is vital, and pressure moments provide opportunities for kickers to be heroes. These 15 student-athletes are ready to pick up from where they left off, and build on their legacies.

15. Brock Taylor, Vanderbilt: The former three-star prospect has been a weapon for the Commodores over the past two seasons. Taylor nailed 31 of his 35 field goal attempts during that span. He was a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist in 2024, and earned third-team, All-SEC honors. Last season Taylor ranked sixth in the FBS in field goal percentage, and only missed one PAT. The Tennessee native nailed a season-high, 51-yard field goal in the win at South Carolina. Taylor made two field goals, including a 46-yarder against Utah State. Not to mention he had a 46-yard field goal in victory over LSU. Taylor even made two field goals in bowl game against Iowa.

14. David Olano, Texas A&M: The former two-star prospect is coming off a stellar campaign with Illinois. After all, Olano nailed 20 of his 23 field goal attempts, and didn’t miss a PAT. He tied for 18th nationally in field goal percentage, 28th in scoring, and 31st in field goals per game. Olano even earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. The Illinois native made a season-high, five field goals at Purdue. Olano nailed a 46-yard field goal at Indiana. His 47-yard field goal against Northwestern was a season-long. Olano nailed two field goals, including a 45-yarder against USC. Not to mention he left a lasting impression with three field goals in bowl win over Tennessee.

13. Tyler Robles, Washington: For a player with no stars behind his name out of high school, he’s blossoming into a clutch kicker. Robles had a remarkable year at Texas State last year. After all, he ranked eighth in the FBS in field goal percentage. Robles finished 10th nationally in scoring. Not to mention hed tied for 17th in the country in field goals per game. Robles capped off the year with second-team, All-Sun Belt honors for his heroics in the clutch. The Californian made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder at Marshall. Robles also nailed a 50-yard field goal in road games at UTSA, and Southern Miss. He’ll be a weapon for the Huskies.

12. Patrick Durkin, Florida: The Chicago native is coming off a monster campaign with Tulane. After all, Durkin nailed 25 of his 28 field goal attempts, ranked 11th in the FBS in field goal percentage, and earned first-team, All-AAC honors. He was even named the AAC’s Special Teams Player of the Year. Durkin made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 41-yarder against Northwestern. Not to mention he nailed a 50-yarder at South Alabama. His 52-yard field goal against Charlotte was a season-long. Durkin made all five of his field goal attempts, including a 52-yearder at Temple. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder made four field goals against East Carolina.

11. Cooper Ranvier, Tennessee: The Kentucky native did some damage in the ACC as a Louisville Cardinal in 2025. After all, Ranvier tied a single-season, school record with 21 made field goals. He tied for 17th in the FBS in field goals per game. Not to mention Ranvier tied for 32nd nationally in scoring. Ranvier even earned third-team, All-ACC honors. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder against Bowling Green. Ranvier nailed four field goals, including a 49-yarder against California. His 51-yard field goal against Clemson was a season-long. Ranvier made a 50-yard field goal against Virginia.

10. Ryan Barker, Penn State: The Pennsylvania native has been money for the Nittany Lions over the past two seasons. Barker nailed 33 field goals over that span. He only missed one of his field goal attempts last season, and ranked first in the FBS in field goal percentage. Barker ranked 41st nationally in field goals per game. Not to mention Barker nailed four field goals in the victory over Nevada. The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder made three field goals, including a 45-yarder against Villanova. His 49-yard field goal against Oregon was a season-long. Barker left a lasting impression with three field goals, including a 48-yarder in the bowl win over Clemson.

9. Lucas Carneiro, Ole Miss: The North Carolina native was a vital part of the Rebels’ run to the Playoff Semifinals last season. Carneiro led the SEC, and ranked second in the FBS in field goals per game. He finished third nationally in scoring. Carneiro even ranked 13th in the country in field goal percentage. Not to mention he was one of 20 Lou Groza Award Semifinalists. Carneiro made all four of his field goal attempts, including a 45-yarder at Oklahoma. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder nailed three field goals, including a 54-yarder against Tulane. His 58-yard field goal against Miami was a season-long. Carneiro posted a 56-yard field goal against Georgia.

8. Stone Harrington, Texas Tech: Last season he was a vital part of the Red Raiders’ run to the Big 12 Championship, and Playoff appearance. Harrington displayed tremendous leg power, and finished 40th nationally in scoring. He ranked fifth in the Big 12, and 29th in the FBS in field goals per game. Harrington was also a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist, and earned first team, All-Big 12 honors. Not to mention he only missed one PAT. Harrington made five field goals, including a 47-yarder against BYU. His 58-yard field goal against Utah was a season-long. Not to mention he nailed a 53-yard field goal against UCF. Harrington had a 55-yard field goal at Kansas State.

7. Ryon Sayeri, USC: He’s as clutch as they come, and can do it all on special teams. Sayeri was responsible for field goals, punts, and kickoff duties for the Trojans in 2025. He ranked 14th in the FBS in scoring, and didn’t miss a PAT. Sayeri tied for 17th nationally in field goals per game. Not to mention he was semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award. Sayeri capped off his campaign with third-team, All-Big Ten honors. The California native made four field goals, including a 48-yarder at Purdue. Sayeri nailed three field goals at Notre Dame, and four against TCU. His 54-yard field goal against Michigan was a season-long. Sayeri posted a 49-yard field goal in at Nebraska.

6. Trey Butkowski, Michigan: The former three-star prospect is coming off a stellar season with Pittsburgh. After all, Butkowski ranked fifth in the FBS in scoring, and was a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist. He led the ACC, and finished sixth nationally in field goals per game. Butkowski ranked 18th in the country in field goals per game, and capped off the year with second-team, All-ACC honors. Not to mention he made two field goals, including a season-long, 47-yarder in the victory over Boston College. Butkowski nailed a season-high, four field goals, including a 43-yarder in the win over NC State. He’s the Wolverines’ ideal replacement for Dominic Zvada.

5. Nico Radicic, Indiana: The former three-star prospect was a vital part of the Hoosiers’ run to the Big Ten and National Championship last season. Radicic started all 16 games, and was one of 20 Lou Groza Award Semifinalists. He also earned second-team, All-Big Ten honors, and was named the league’s Kicker of the Year. Not to mention Radicic tied for third in the FBS in field goal percentage, and didn’t miss a PAT. The Texas native currently ranks seventh on Indiana’s all-time scoring list. Radicic nailed a 42-yard field goal in the victory at Oregon. The 5-foot-11, 188-pounder posted two field goals, including a 46-yarder in the win at Maryland.

4. Sean O’Haire, Maryland: The Ireland native is coming off a monster campaign with the Terrapins. O’Haire was dangerous with his accuracy, and didn’t miss a PAT. After all, he led the Big Ten, and ranked ninth nationally in field goals per game. O’Haire led the Big Ten, and finished 17th in the FBS in field goal percentage. Not to mention he ranked 39th in the country in scoring, and earned first-team, All-Big Ten honors. O’Haire got off to a hot start, with three field goals, including a season-long, 49-yarder in the opener against Florida Atlantic. The 6-foot-2, 188-pounder also made three field goals Towson. O’Haire also nailed a 49-yard field goal at Wisconsin.

3. Peyton Woodring, Georgia: The former three-star prospect is very productive, and packs a ton of experience. Woodring is no stranger to delivering in the clutch, and has long range. After all, he ranked second in the SEC, and 10th in the FBS in field goal percentage last season. Not to mention he didn’t miss a PAT. Woodring was also a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist, and capped off his stellar campaign with second-team, All-SEC honors. The Louisiana native made three field goals, including a 51-yarder against Ole Miss. Woodring also nailed three field goals, including a 50-yarder at Georgia Tech. His 53-yard field goal at Auburn was a season-long.

2. Aidan Birr, Georgia Tech: The former two-star prospect had a season for the ages with the Yellow Jackets in 2025. After all, Birr was one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award. He ranked third in the FBS in field goals per game, ninth in scoring, and 24th in field goal percentage. Not to mention Birr didn’t miss a PAT. The Texas native capped off the year with first-team, All-ACC, and third-team, AP All-American honors. Birr made three field goals, including a season-long, 55-yarder in the win over Clemson. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder nailed three field goals, including a 44-yarder against Georgia. Birr also posted three field goals in the victory at Wake Forest.

1. Tate Sandell, Oklahoma: He’s the reigning Lou Groza Award winner as the nation’s best kicker, and the program’s first player to win the hardware. Sandell set the College football world on fire with his accuracy, and leg power. He even nailed 19 field goals in 2024, and only missed one PAT over the past two seasons. Last year Sandell tied for fourth nationally in field goals per game. Sandell ranked 12th in the FBS in field goal percentage. Not to mention he tied for 22nd in the country in scoring. The Texas native posted a 55-yard field goal against Kent State, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Sandell had a 52-yard field goal in road wins over Temple, and Alabama.