UNC Football: Ryan Coe named to Lou Groza Award Watch List

8/2/2023
Cincinnati Bearcats place kicker Ryan Coe (40) follows through on a successful kick in the first quarter during a college football game against the Navy Midshipmen, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
Ncaaf Navy Midshipmen At Cincinnati Bearcats Nov 6 0069
Cincinnati Bearcats place kicker Ryan Coe (40) follows through on a successful kick in the first quarter during a college football game against the Navy Midshipmen, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Ncaaf Navy Midshipmen At Cincinnati Bearcats Nov 6 0069
The UNC football program’s new placekicker is being recognized as one of the top players at his position heading into the 2023 season.
Last season, the UNC football program had plenty of inconsistency from its special teams unit, particularly its placekicking.
In an effort to improve in this area, Mack Brown and his staff went out and got one of the best available transfer placekickers.
Heading into his final collegiate season, Ryan Coe has earned a spot on the Lou Groza Award Watch List.
The Lou Groza Award preseason watch list has arrived! 🏆
Read the full release here: https://t.co/HMMl3Llp9Z pic.twitter.com/CoxXqfdVpH
— Lou Groza Award (@LouGrozaAward) August 2, 2023
The Award is named after National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns organization. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named the NFL Player of the Year during the 1954 season.
Although Groza was an outstanding All-Pro offensive lineman, he played a big role in showing teams that it was important to have a roster spot available for a kicker.
Coe comes to Chapel Hill with plenty of experience, having competed for both Cincinnati and Delaware over his college career. He has played in 40 career games, making 45-of-57 field goal attempts while being perfect on 91 extra point attempts. He also has done a fair share in regard to kickoffs, as 107 of his 205 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks.
A second-team All-AAC selection last season, Coe looks to help improve the UNC football program’s kicking game this season. The Tar Heels hope to make the most out of all their scoring opportunities, as a consistent and reliable placekicker is something that could really help the program in 2023, especially in close game situations.