Top College Football Kickers in 2012

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 31, 2012

Top College Football Kickers in 2012

Brett Baer, Louisiana-Lafayette

They are tried and true, all but automatic after a touchdown and dead solid in the clutch. Here, in alphabetical order, are the nation's top kickers. The only kicker in the country to make 90 percent of his field goal tries in 2011, Baer has missed only two of 27 career attempts; as the Ragin' Cajuns' punter in '11, he averaged 40.3 yards.

Andrew Heidari, USC

Stocky (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) and strong-legged, the highly regarded 2011 recruit earned All--Pac-12 honors as a true freshman, making 15-of-17 attempts, among them a 50-yarder against Stanford.

Michael Hunnicutt, Oklahoma

As a walk-on redshirt freshman, Hunnicutt beat out more experienced teammates to become the Sooners' primary placekicker. Successful on 21-of-24 field goal attempts, he nailed a 53-yarder at Kansas State.

Dustin Hopkins, Florida State

With his booming leg, Hopkins is considered this year's top NFL prospect after pumping home 22-of-27 field goal tries in 2011. The previous year he hit a game-winning 55-yarder against Clemson.

Brett Maher, Nebraska

Taking over for departed All-America Alex Henery, Maher filled his shoes by earning first-team All-Big Ten honors as both a kicker and punter (44.5-yard average). He made 19-of-23 field goals, including a careerlong 51-yarder against Michigan.

Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State

Already the starting punter (45.8-yard career average), Sharp replaced a Groza winner (Dan Bailey) as placekicker last season and made 22-of-25 field goals, including all 14 of his attempts inside 30 yards.

Caleb Sturgis, Florida

After being out with a back injury, Sturgis rebounded as a medical redshirt in 2011 to become a Groza finalist, making 22-of-26 kicks, including a 55-yarder against Vanderbilt.