Durkin, who arrived in Gainesville via the transfer portal from Tulane, made 25 of his 28 field goal attempts for the Green Wave last season and went 41-for-42 on extra-point attempts. His 89.3% field goal accuracy is the second-best among returning FBS kickers who made at least 20 field goals last season, while his 25 field goals are tied for the second\u00a0most among the same cohort.<\/p>\n
The redshirt sophomore originally from Chicago, Illinois, connected on three field goals during the Florida Gators<\/a> spring game inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in April but missed a 49-yard attempt as time expired.<\/p>\n “He\u2019s just getting comfortable and had a great season last year,” Florida special teams coach Johnathan Galante said during his fall camp press conference<\/a>. “He transitions now to a whole new town, a whole new city, a whole new environment, higher level. And he did well. He finished better than he started spring ball and in the position he\u2019s in right now, I\u2019m very excited where he\u2019s at.”<\/p>\n About the Lou Groza Award<\/p>\n The Lou Groza Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou 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.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n In recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Lou Groza Award, this year\u2019s watchlist was expanded to include 35 kickers, symbolizing 35 years of honoring college football\u2019s premier placekicker. The selection committee evaluated returning kickers from across the nation based on career achievements, statistical performance, consistency, and projected impact for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Groza Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Nov. 17. From that 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 Nov. 24. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.<\/p>\n Follow us\u00a0@GatorsWire<\/a>\u00a0on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky<\/a>, and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators<\/a> news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786215608_72_86373768007-gators-1.jpg\")