WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The 2025 Lou Groza Award preseason watch list was released and it features a member of the Sun Devil Football team.
With all three of last year’s finalists graduating, it’s a wide-open field on the thirty-player Watch List for the 2025 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, as announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Arizona State redshirt senior Jesus Gomez is one of the candidates. Gomez is looking to become the third Sun Devil to win the Lou Groza Award, a feat previously accomplished by Thomas Weber in 2007 and Zane Gonzalez in 2016.
Gomez transferred to Arizona State in the offseason after a productive career at Eastern Michigan. A season ago, he went 20-of-25 on field goals, including an outstanding 18-of-21 (86%) success rate on kicks of less than 50 yards. He had five games in which he made three field goals, highlighted by a program record 57-yarder at No. 25 Washington. After an outstanding fall camp, Gomez has emerged as the starting place-kicker for the Sun Devils.
Just over half the members of the Watch List have been previously named semifinalists for the award. The Watch List includes nine returning kickers with at least nine field goals from 40+ yards while still connecting at 80% or better overall. Gomez is one of the nine, as he showed the ability to make any kick on the field. 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.
View the Groza Award preseason watch list
Selection timeline
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 18th. 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, November 25th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Friday, December 12th during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. The 34th 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 gala awards banquet on December 8th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
About the Groza Award
The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker. For more information on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and to see the “Stars of the Week” throughout the season, please go to www.lougrozaaward.com. For even more updates on the best kicking performances throughout the season, follow @LouGrozaAward on Twitter.
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Jesus Gomez, K (R-Sr | Puebla, Mexico) |
2024 Season
Senior from Puebla, Mexico...20-of-25 field goals, including 11-of-12 from 39 yards or less...had a school-record 57-yarder...also made a 50-yarder that same practice...made 27-of-29 extra points...15 of 20 field goals came in just five games, each of them three field goal performances.
2023 Season
Finished 12-of-16 in field goal kicks, including 2-of-4 from 50-yards or longer...connected on a 55-yarder at Central Michigan (Sept. 30) to tie for the 15th-longest conversion in the NCAA FBS in 2023...finished 21-of-24 in PAT attempts...econd on the team with 57 points, trailing only Samson Evans 1974...named to two preseason all-conference teams, including Athlon Sports All-MAC Second Team and Phil Steele's All-MAC Third Team...also named to the Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award Watch List
2022 Season
Second Team All-MAC… Academic All-MAC selection… MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 19)… MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week (Oct. 26)… College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honoree… 2022 Phil Steele All-MAC fourth team…awarded Special Teams Player of the Year award by EMU football...played in all 13 games as the team’s place kicker…made 14 of his 17 field goals attempted…went 2-for-3 from beyond 50-yards…went 2-for-2 with a career-long 55-yard field goal to end the first half against Ball State (Oct. 22)
More on Sun Devil Football's 2025 preseason
Hornung Award preseason watch list
Sun Devil Football's Jalen Moss is the latest Sun Devil to earn a spot on a national award preseason watch list. Forty-six players representing schools in nine conferences have been selected for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list. Arizona State wide receiver Jalen Moss is one of the candidates, adding to the growing list of Sun Devils to receive preseason honors heading into the 2025 campaign.
Now in its 16th season, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend Paul Hornung. Moss is in a position to contribute heavily in Tempe after two outstanding seasons at Fresno State. He served as both a go-to wide receiver as well as a dynamic punt returner in 2024, impacting the game in many ways with the ball in his hands. This is the second consecutive year that the Hornung Award preseason watch list included a Sun Devil, with running back Cam Skattebo earning the distinction prior to last season.
Butkus Award preseason watch list
Sun Devil Football's Keyshaun Elliott is considered one of the top linebackers in the country heading into the 2025 season. The Butkus Foundation released the preseason watch list for the 41st annual collegiate Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s top linebacker. The 51-player list pays tribute to Dick Butkus’ iconic No. 51 jersey, worn during his Hall of Fame career as the most feared defender in football history. One of the initial candidates is Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott. He is the latest Sun Devil to land on a preseason award watch list. Elliott has emerged as one of the elite players at his position and a leader of the Sun Devil defense. He is looking to become the program's first Butkus Award winner.
AP Preseason Top-25
Sun Devil Football has been ranked No. 11 by the Associated Press in their 2025 preseason college football rankings. The buzz surrounding Arizona State continues as the AP Preseason Top-25 Poll features the Sun Devils at No. 11. It is the highest ASU has been ranked in the preseason since coming in at No. 8 prior to the 1998 season. Of the four Big 12 programs in the initial poll, Arizona State is the top-ranked team from the league. The 2024 Big 12 Champions finished at No. 7 in the final AP Poll of the 2024 season.
Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list
The Football Writers Association of America listed Xavion Alford on the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. The Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Alford is receiving plenty of buzz heading into the 2025 season, adding yet another accolade. He was named to the Preseason Big 12 All-Conference Team earlier in the offseason and is considered one of the nation's top returning defensive backs.
C.J. Fite on two preseason watch lists
The Football Writers Association of America listed Fite on both their Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch Lists. The Nagurski Trophy recognizes the national defensive player of the year, while the Outland is presented to the nation's best interior lineman (offensive or defensive). Fite is one of only eight individuals to land on both lists.
Maxwell Award preseason watch list
The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 89th Maxwell Award and Sun Devil Football has a pair of representatives. Quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson are each candidates for the annual award given to the most outstanding player in college football. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Leavitt and Tyson are one of only 17 pairs of teammates to land on the Preseason Maxwell Award Watch List. The tandem is considered one of the best quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the country heading into the 2025 season and national outlets continue to take notice.
2025 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
Sun Devil Football Head Coach Kenny Dillingham was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy. The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. released the initial candidates for the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank. This year's list includes 26 of the nation's top college football coaches, highlighted by Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham.
Dillingham was a finalist for the 2024 Dodd Trophy after leading the Sun Devils to a historic 11-3 season which culminated in a Big 12 Championship, Peach Bowl Appearance, and berth in the College Football Playoff. He was named 2024 Big 12 Coach of the Year for his efforts and is once again being considered as one of the top coaches entering the 2025 season.
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Kenny Dillingham, ASU |
Josh Heupel, Tennessee |
2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Team (media vote)
The Big 12 Conference announced the 2025 Preseason All-Conference Team and Sun Devil Football is heavily featured. Arizona State has five players on the Preseason All-Big12 Team and Sam Leavitt has been voted as the Preseason Offensive Player of the league by the media. The five selections are the most of any team in the conference, a clear sign of respect for the talent returning to the program.
Offensive Player of the Year: Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State, RS-So.
Preseason All-Conference Team (offense)
QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State, RS-So.
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State, RS-Jr.
OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State, Gr.
Preseason All-Conference Team (defense)
DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State, Jr.
DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State, RS-Sr.
Walter Camp Preseason Second-Team All-Americans
Second-Team Offense
QB: Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
WR: Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
RB: Makhi Hughes (Oregon), Isaac Brown (Louisville)
TE: Justin Joly (North Carolina State)
OL: Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Texas A&M), Cayden Green (Missouri), Jordan Seaton (Colorado), Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State)
C: Logan Jones (Iowa)
Walter Camp Preseason All Americans by school
Alabama, Clemson, Indiana, Penn State, Texas - 3
Arizona State, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M - 2
Athlon Sports Preseason Big 12 honors
A total of 15 Sun Devils received Big 12 Preseason All-Conference recognition from Athlon Sports. Leading the way was wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who landed on the First Team Offense of Athlon Sports' Preseason All-American Team.
Tyson also was a First Team Big 12 All-Conference selection and is joined by fellow Media Day attendees Sam Leavitt, Ben Coleman, and Xavion Alford in earning the distinction. Here is a full list of preseason honorees from Athlon Sports.
All-America honors
First Team Offense
WR Jordyn Tyson
All Big 12 honors
First Team Offense
QB Sam Leavitt
WR Jordyn Tyson
OL Ben Coleman
First Team Defense
S Xavion Alford
Second Team Offense
OL Max Iheanachor
Second Team Defense
DL C.J. Fite
LB Keyshaun Elliott
CB Keith Abney II
Third Team Defense
DL Clayton Smith
CB Javan Robinson
S Myles Rowser
Third Team Specialists
K Jesus Gomez
Fourth Team Offense
RB Kyson Brown
TE Chamon Metayer
Fourth Team Specialists
PR Jalen Moss
2025 Schedule
There are plenty of opportunities to see Jordyn Tyson, Sam Leavitt, and the rest of the Sun Devil Football team throughout a challenging and entertaining 2025 schedule. Season Tickets are going fast, but a few are still available at sundevils.com/tickets/football.
All times MST
Aug. 30 – vs. NAU – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sept. 6 – at Mississippi State – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sept. 13 – vs. Texas State – 7:30 p.m. (TNT and Max)
Sept. 20 – at Baylor
Sept. 26 – vs. TCU – 6 p.m. (Fox)
Oct. 4 – BYE
Oct. 11 – at Utah
Oct. 18 – vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 25 – vs. Houston
Nov. 1 – at Iowa State
Nov. 8 – BYE
Nov. 15 – vs. West Virginia
Nov. 22 – at Colorado
Nov. 28 – vs. Arizona (Fox)
Texas to Tempe
Eight of the 16 returning starters for the Sun Devils this year are from Texas. The list includes Jordyn Tyson (Allen), Josh Atkins (Mansfield Timberview), Keith Abney (Waxahachie), Xavion Alford (Shadow Creek), C.J. Fite (Tatum), Clayton Smith (Texas High School in Texasarkana), Prince Dorbah (Highland Park) and Jordan Crook (Duncanville).
Elite experience
Eight Sun Devils started all 14 games last year, and seven of them return. C.J. Fite, Josh Atkins, Ben Coleman, Max Iheanachor, Javan Robinson, Myles "Ghost" Rowser and Keith Abney II were 14-game starters. Center and second-team Walter Camp All-American Leif Fautanu is the only 14-game starter who doesn’t return in 2025.
Protecting home turf
Arizona State (6-0) was one of 16 teams to go undefeated at home in 2024 and the only Big 12 team. Oregon, Boise State, Alabama, Missouri, Army, Memphis and Tennessee all went 7-0, while Miami, Ohio, Marshall, UTSA, Georgia and Washington joined ASU at 6-0. Indiana went 8-0, while Georgia Tech went 5-0. ASU travels to one-home loss Big 12 teams from last year Iowa State (6-1), Colorado (5-1) and Baylor (5-1). The Sun Devils didn’t lose a home game for the first time since 2004.
Comfortable when it's close
Arizona State was 6-2 in one score games (5-1 in games of seven points or less) in 2024. The only teams with six or more wins in one-score games were Arkansas State (7-1), Sam Houston State (6-0), Texas Tech, Duke and Missouri (all 6-1) and Syracuse (7-2).
Fo(u)rks Up
ASU made 18 fourth-down conversions in 2024. After converting on those 18, ASU had 12 touchdowns, 2 field goals and took a knee to end the Mississippi State game. The only three times it didn’t work as it had an interception, a missed field goal and turned it over on down later in the drive.
Undefeated in November
ASU went undefeated in November for the first time since 2013 and just its third time from 1976-present. ASU also was undefeated in November in 2013 (4-0), 1996 (3-0), 1975 (5-0), 1972 (4-0), 1971 (4-0), 1970 (3-0), 1969 (5-0), 1968 (5-0), 1967 (3-0), 1965 (3-0), 1963 (4-0), 1959 (4-0), 1958 (4-0), 1957 (5-0) and 1950 (4-0).
Returning AP All Americans
Jordyn Tyson earned Third-Team Associated Press All American honors last and is one of 16 returners from those teams in 2025. He is one of five returning AP All Americans returning on offense along with center Jake Slaughter (Florida), wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Eric Rivers (Florida International) and tackle Spencer Fano (Utah).
2024 Big 12 honorees are back
Arizona State has six returnees from the 2024 All Big 12 Team returning next year, led by wide receiver and first team honoree Jordyn Tyson (Offensive Newcomer of the Year), second team honoree Sam Leavitt (Offensive Freshman of the Year), defensive back Xavion Alford (first), tight end Chamon Metayer (second), defensive lineman C.J. Fite (second) and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (second).
ASU alumni on Sun Devil Football 2025 roster
(listed alphabetically)
Xavion Alford, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Coben Bourguet, BSE Engineering Management, 2024
Ben Coleman, MA Communication, 2024
Anthonie Cooper, BA Interdisciplinary Studies (Communication/Nutrition and Healthy Living), 2022
Prince Dorbah, BS Communication, 2024
Adama Fall, BA Liberal Studies
Zyrus Fiaseu, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Cameron Harpole, BA Communication, 2025
Max Iheanachor, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Chamon Metayer, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Elijah O'Neal, BA Liberal Studies, 2024
Kyle Scott, BS Psychology, 2025
Ian Shewell, BS Clinical Exercise Science, 2025
Clayton Smith, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Justin Wodtly, BA Liberal Studies, 2025
Sun Devil Football on social
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Kenny Dillingham (X: @KennyDillingham | Instagram: @coachdillinghamasu)
Jesus Gomez (X: @Jesusgoju | Instagram: @jesusgoju)