WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Tennessee place kicker Max Gilbert was named to the 2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List on Friday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
An in-state product from Memphis, Gilbert connected on 20-of-26 field goals and was a perfect 54-of-54 on PATs in 2024. He totaled 114 points, which ranked sixth in UT single-season history. His tally was fourth among all players in the SEC.
Gilbert hit on 3-of-6 field goals from 50 or more yards with a career-high 52-yarder against Georgia.
The strong-legged kicker was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week last season after connecting on all three of his field goal attempts and both PATs, including a long of 41 yards in his SEC debut on the road at No. 15 Oklahoma.
He then garnered Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” following a 4-for-4 day against Mississippi State.
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.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Max Gilbert, PK, R-So.
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Walter Camp)
First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
