3 Big Ten kickers named to Lou Groza Award watch list

The 2016 season is fast approaching, which means it’s time to start previewing players who could be in the discussion for college football’s most prestigious awards when the season is all said and done.

The preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award (given to the nation’s best kicker) was revealed on Thursday and a few Big Ten players made the list.

Here’s a look at the Big Ten players who were named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, along with a preview of what to expect from them this season.

Drew Brown, junior, Nebraska: Brown was named Second-Team All-Big Ten by the media as a sophomore after netting 21-of-27 field goal attempts last season. He converted 12 of his 14 attempts from between 40 and 49 yards and also nailed a 50-yard field goal.

Griffin Oakes, redshirt junior, Indiana: The defending Big Ten Kicker of the Year converted 24 of his 29 field goal attempts and nailed 53 PATs during an outstanding sophomore campaign. Oakes will likely only get better this season.

Ryan Santoso, redshirt junior, Minnesota: Santoso went 17-of-21 on field goal attempts last season and was a perfect 10-for-10 on attempts shorter than 40 yards. Santoso also made all 32 of his point-after tries.