Texas Tech University Athletics
Harrington placed on Groza watch list
August 07, 2026 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior place-kicker Stone Harrington was one of 35 FBS kickers named to the 2026 Lou Groza Award Watch List, announced Friday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The award honors the nation's top place-kicker.
Harrington was one of Texas Tech's biggest success stories during its 2025 Big 12 Championship season, winning the starting place-kicker job midway through the year. He went from not appearing on the 2025 preseason Lou Groza Award Watch List to earning semifinalist honors by season's end.
Harrington took over the starting role for the final five games of the season and finished 22-for-28 on field goals and 41-for-42 on PATs, totaling 107 points. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from both the conference coaches and the Associated Press, becoming only the fourth Red Raider place-kicker selected first team by the league's coaches, joining Jonathan Garibay (2021), Clayton Hatfield (2018) and Alex Trlica (2007).
While the watch list highlights 35 of the best returning kickers in the country, the Groza Committee will be watching all FBS kickers throughout the season, as all FBS kickers remain eligible to be selected as semifinalists. The Committee also releases its "Stars of the Week" feature throughout the season on www.lougrozaaward.com.
Performances will be evaluated throughout the season before the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award announces its 20 semifinalists Nov. 17. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 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 banquet gala on Dec. 7 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
About the Lou Groza Award/NCFAA
The Lou Groza 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.
In 2026, the award will honor the 35th anniversary of the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. Oklahoma senior Tate Sandell, the 2025 recipient, could become only the second player to win multiple Lou Groza Awards if he successfully defends his title, joining former Florida State kicker Sebastian Janikowski (1998-99).
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It is one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Harrington was one of Texas Tech's biggest success stories during its 2025 Big 12 Championship season, winning the starting place-kicker job midway through the year. He went from not appearing on the 2025 preseason Lou Groza Award Watch List to earning semifinalist honors by season's end.
Harrington took over the starting role for the final five games of the season and finished 22-for-28 on field goals and 41-for-42 on PATs, totaling 107 points. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from both the conference coaches and the Associated Press, becoming only the fourth Red Raider place-kicker selected first team by the league's coaches, joining Jonathan Garibay (2021), Clayton Hatfield (2018) and Alex Trlica (2007).
While the watch list highlights 35 of the best returning kickers in the country, the Groza Committee will be watching all FBS kickers throughout the season, as all FBS kickers remain eligible to be selected as semifinalists. The Committee also releases its "Stars of the Week" feature throughout the season on www.lougrozaaward.com.
Performances will be evaluated throughout the season before the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award announces its 20 semifinalists Nov. 17. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 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 banquet gala on Dec. 7 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
About the Lou Groza Award/NCFAA
The Lou Groza 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.
In 2026, the award will honor the 35th anniversary of the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award. Oklahoma senior Tate Sandell, the 2025 recipient, could become only the second player to win multiple Lou Groza Awards if he successfully defends his title, joining former Florida State kicker Sebastian Janikowski (1998-99).
The Lou Groza Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It is one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
- Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
- Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
- Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
- Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
- Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
- Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
- Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
- Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
- Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
Players Mentioned
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