TEMPE – Sun Devil Football placekicker Zane Gonzalez was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 National Football League Draft on Saturday afternoon.
Gonzalez, the 2016 Lou Groza Award winner, was drafted 224th overall. In 2016, he became just the third player in the history of the storied Sun Devil football program to receive unanimous All-American honors after setting numerous NCAA records during his illustrious career at Arizona State.
Gonzalez made an FBS-leading 14 field goals from at least 40 yards and was a remarkable 7-for-9 on attempts from 50 yards or more. That mark, the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, includes the longest FG of the year, a 59 yarder that was also the kick to give him the all-time record for career points by a kicker.
Gonzalez joined Thomas Weber as the second ASU kicker to win the Lou Groza Award, making ASU one of only four schools with multiple winners.
10 Sun Devils have been taken in the three NFL drafts that have taken place since head coach Todd Graham took over the program, with Gonzalez becoming the first special teams player to go in that time and the first for special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum.
Sun Devils Drafted Under Coach Graham
Zane Gonzalez, placekicker – Cleveland Browns, 7th round (224th overall), 2017
Christian Westerman, offensive lineman – Cincinnati Bengals, 5th round (161st overall), 2016
Devin Lucien, wide receiver – New England Patriots, 7th round (225th overall), 2016
Damarious Randall, defensive back – Green Bay Packers, 1st round (30th overall), 2015
Jaelen Strong, wide receiver – Houston Texans, 3rd round (70th overall), 2015
Jamil Douglas, offensive lineman – Miami Dolphins, 4th round (114th overall), 2015
Marcus Hardison, defensive lineman – Cincinnati Bengals, 4th round (135th overall), 2015
Will Sutton, defensive lineman – Chicago Bears, 3rd round (82nd overall), 2014
Carl Bradford, linebacker – Green Bay Packers, 4th round (121st overall), 2014
Marion Grice, running back – San Diego Chargers, 6th round (201st overall), 2014
Gonzalez, the 2016 Lou Groza Award winner, was drafted 224th overall. In 2016, he became just the third player in the history of the storied Sun Devil football program to receive unanimous All-American honors after setting numerous NCAA records during his illustrious career at Arizona State.
Gonzalez finished his four-year career in Maroon and Gold as the all-time FBS leader in field goals made (96) and points by a kicker (494). His 23 made field goals out of 25 attempts in the 2016 season led the Pac-12 in both makes and percentage.The pick is IN! @ZaneG_5 is headed for the Cleveland @Browns. #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ctXQNjP3gh
— Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) April 29, 2017
Gonzalez made an FBS-leading 14 field goals from at least 40 yards and was a remarkable 7-for-9 on attempts from 50 yards or more. That mark, the second-most ever from long distance in an FBS season, includes the longest FG of the year, a 59 yarder that was also the kick to give him the all-time record for career points by a kicker.
Gonzalez joined Thomas Weber as the second ASU kicker to win the Lou Groza Award, making ASU one of only four schools with multiple winners.
10 Sun Devils have been taken in the three NFL drafts that have taken place since head coach Todd Graham took over the program, with Gonzalez becoming the first special teams player to go in that time and the first for special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum.
Gonzalez became just the second Sun Devil kicker to be selected in the draft as he joined Jim McCann, who went to the San Francisco 49ers in the eighth round of the 1971 draft. He is just the fourth ASU specialist in history to be drafted.Lou Groza Award winner ??
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 29, 2017
FBS career record holder for most FGs (96) ??
Holds six FBS records ??@ZaneG_5 is pretty good. pic.twitter.com/LJy3V9260r
Sun Devils Drafted Under Coach Graham
Zane Gonzalez, placekicker – Cleveland Browns, 7th round (224th overall), 2017
Christian Westerman, offensive lineman – Cincinnati Bengals, 5th round (161st overall), 2016
Devin Lucien, wide receiver – New England Patriots, 7th round (225th overall), 2016
Damarious Randall, defensive back – Green Bay Packers, 1st round (30th overall), 2015
Jaelen Strong, wide receiver – Houston Texans, 3rd round (70th overall), 2015
Jamil Douglas, offensive lineman – Miami Dolphins, 4th round (114th overall), 2015
Marcus Hardison, defensive lineman – Cincinnati Bengals, 4th round (135th overall), 2015
Will Sutton, defensive lineman – Chicago Bears, 3rd round (82nd overall), 2014
Carl Bradford, linebacker – Green Bay Packers, 4th round (121st overall), 2014
Marion Grice, running back – San Diego Chargers, 6th round (201st overall), 2014