Florida Kicker Trey Smack Named Semifinalist for Lou Groza Award

Sophomore Gators kicker Trey Smack is up for national recognition after taking over as Florida's starting placekicker in Week 3.

Photo: Florida kicker Trey Smack; Credit: Alex Shepherd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Nearly automatic since taking over as Florida's starting placekicker in Week 3, sophomore specialist Trey Smack was named a semifinalist for the 2023 Lou Groza National Place-Kicker Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Thursday.

Smack assumed first-team duties during Florida's matchup with Tennessee, taking over for former starter Adam Mihalek following misses on a field goal attempt and an extra point try during the first quarter. Smack proceeded to connect on a field goal from 27 yards out and two extra points, in addition to kickoff duties, as the Gators pulled off a 29-16 upset victory over the nation's formerly No. 11 Vols.

Smack hasn't looked back since.

The Severna Park, Md. native has gone 14-of-16 on field goal attempts this year with a long of 54 yards, which he's hit twice, against Charlotte and South Carolina. Smack's first miss was blocked by the Gamecocks, and his second came versus Arkansas, following an illegal substitution penalty called against UF and an icing timeout called by the Razorbacks near the end of regulation. 

Smack is a perfect 19-of-19 on extra point attempts on the year. Of his 54 kickoffs, 43 have gone for touchbacks. 

"Trey Smack has been a weapon," Florida head coach Billy Napier described Smack on Sept. 25. "The touchbacks, where essentially we haven't had to cover a kick this year because of him. Obviously he's done a fantastic job stepping up as the placekicker as well." 

Smack is one of twenty kickers eligible to win the award this year. Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, sports information directors, media members, former Lou Groza Award finalists and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists. Finalists will be announced on November 28.

Find the class of semifinalists for the honor below.

Andres Borregales, Miami (FL)

Charles Campbell, Tennessee

Chase Contreraz, Iowa State

Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State 

Alex Hale, Oklahoma State

Joshua Karty, Stanford

Dragan Kesich, Minnesota

Cam Little, Arkansas

Tyler Loop, Arizona

Dylan Lynch, Fresno State

Alex McPherson, Auburn

Graham Nicholson, Miami (OH)

Jose Pizano, UNLV

Will Reichard, Alabama

Mason Shipley, Texas State

Matthew Shipley, Hawaii

Trey Smack, Florida

Drew Stevens, Iowa

Nathanial Vakos, Wisconsin 

Peyton Woodring, Georgia

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