Tate Sandell becomes first Oklahoma kicker to win Lou Groza Award

Tate Sandell (left) reacts after kicking a go-ahead field goal against Alabama (2025)
Tate Sandell (left) reacts after kicking a go-ahead field goal against Alabama (2025)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Oklahoma's Tate Sandell made program history on Friday after becoming the first kicker in program history to win the Lou Groza Award for best kicker in college football.

Sandell finished the season hitting 23-of-24 field goals, going a perfect 7-for-7 from 50+ yards. 

His biggest game of the year came against Tennessee when the award-winning kicker drilled field goals from 40 yards, 51 yards, and 55 yards twice. The Sooners won that game 33-27. 

Much thanks to Sanfell, the Sooners earned a College Football Playoff bid this season. 

They'll face #9 Alabama for the chance to play the top-seeded Indiana in the second round (click here for the full bracket). 

Other notable Lou Groza Award winners include Sebastian Janikowski, Martin Gramatica, and, more recentl,y Zane Gonzalez, who hit a game-winning field goal for the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. 

Sandell hasn't announced his declaration for the 2026 NFL Draft at this point. However, if he does, he'd be one of the top kickers taken off the board early on. 

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