Florida State University Athletics
Panikowski on Groza Award Watch List
8/7/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
TALLAHASSEE – Florida State 5th-year kicker Gabe Panikowski is among 35 players on the Lou Groza Award watch list, announced by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission on Friday.
The Groza Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026. Florida State has won the award a record four times, including the only two-time winner in Sebastian Janikowski, who was the nation's best kicker in both 1998 and 1999. Graham Gano won the award in 2008 and Roberto Aguayo was the top kicker in 2013.
Panikowski was a first-team All-American at Idaho State in 2024. The San Diego native was the Fred Mitchell Award winner as the nation's best non-FBS kicker, connecting on all 15 field goal attempts, the most in the nation without a miss. His 55-yard field goal was the third-longest in FCS in 2024 and fourth-longest in Idaho State history.
At Riverside City College in 2023, Panikowski converted 15 of 21 field goal attempts.
Semifinalists will be announced November 17, with three finalists named on November 24. The 35th Groza Award winner will be announced on December 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Florida State will open the 2026 season on August 29 at 7:00 p.m. against New Mexico State.
Preseason Honors
7/20 – Duce Robinson – Good Works Team Nominee
7/29 – Duce Robinson – Preseason All-ACC
8/3 – Duce Robinson – Maxwell Award Watch List
8/6 – Duce Robinson – Sporting News Preseason All-American Second Team
8/7 – Gabe Panikowski – Groza Award Watch List
The Groza Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026. Florida State has won the award a record four times, including the only two-time winner in Sebastian Janikowski, who was the nation's best kicker in both 1998 and 1999. Graham Gano won the award in 2008 and Roberto Aguayo was the top kicker in 2013.
Panikowski was a first-team All-American at Idaho State in 2024. The San Diego native was the Fred Mitchell Award winner as the nation's best non-FBS kicker, connecting on all 15 field goal attempts, the most in the nation without a miss. His 55-yard field goal was the third-longest in FCS in 2024 and fourth-longest in Idaho State history.
At Riverside City College in 2023, Panikowski converted 15 of 21 field goal attempts.
Semifinalists will be announced November 17, with three finalists named on November 24. The 35th Groza Award winner will be announced on December 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Florida State will open the 2026 season on August 29 at 7:00 p.m. against New Mexico State.
Preseason Honors
7/20 – Duce Robinson – Good Works Team Nominee
7/29 – Duce Robinson – Preseason All-ACC
8/3 – Duce Robinson – Maxwell Award Watch List
8/6 – Duce Robinson – Sporting News Preseason All-American Second Team
8/7 – Gabe Panikowski – Groza Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
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