Gómez Named to Lou Groza Award Watch List

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University kicker Jesús Gómez (Puebla, Mexico/Prepa Tec Puebla) is the latest student-athlete added to a 2023 preseason watch list as the junior was named to the Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award Watch List announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Wednesday, Aug. 2.
Gómez is one of two Mid-American Conference players named to the 30-man list.
The Puebla, Mexico, native wasted no time entering the EMU record books in his first season as the team's primary place-kicker. Second on the team in total points (89), Gómez knocked in 14-of-17 field goal attempts (82%), a percentage which ranked second in the MAC. Additionally, he was a perfect 47-of-47 on extra point attempts during the 2022 regular season. Gómez's signature kick came against Ball State University, Oct. 22, when he drilled a program-record-tying 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half.
Gómez already ranks 10th in an EMU career in extra points made and is tied for 11th in career field goals made.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists Thursday, Nov. 9. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers select the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 28. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced in December during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 32nd 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 gala awards banquet, Dec. 4, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
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 LouGrozaAward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2023 preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., July 31: Maxwell Award > Samson Evans
Tue., Aug. 1: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award > Jesús Gómez / Mitchell Tomasek
Thu., Aug. 3: Paul Hornung Award/Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 4: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Tue., Aug. 8: Davey O'Brien Award
Wed., Aug. 9: Doak Walker Award
Thu., Aug. 10: Butkus Award/Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Fri., Aug. 11: Walter Camp Award
Mon., Aug. 14: Bednarik Award