news-engine

Texas Tech kicker Stone Harrington on Groza watch list News release provided by Texas Tech Athletics - 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. RELATED: With Quentin Joyner set to debut, Tech’s RB room ready to show off its ‘three-headed monster’ 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. RELATED: Texas Tech QB Hammond ‘excited to let it rip in fall camp’ RELATED: Texas Tech football brings depth to 2026 season 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. RELATED: Texas Tech center Sheridan Wilson named to Rimington Trophy watch list Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.