Florida’s Trey Smack Reclaims Spotlight with Lou Groza Award Watch List Nod, Eyeing Redemption After Falling Short as Semifinalist Two Seasons Ago

Florida Gators kicker Trey Smack is officially back in the national spotlight. Two years after narrowly missing out on becoming a finalist for college football’s most prestigious placekicking honor, Smack has earned a coveted spot on the Lou Groza Award watch list for the upcoming season. For the junior kicker, it’s a moment of personal redemption and a clear signal that his consistency, leg strength, and resilience have not gone unnoticed on the national stage. The inclusion is more than a ceremonial recognition—it’s a challenge and a renewed opportunity for Smack to prove that he belongs among the elite at his position in college football.

Smack’s return to the Lou Groza Award conversation comes after a season that was both productive and mature. While his 2023 campaign didn’t generate overwhelming national headlines, it showcased the kind of steadiness and technical refinement that coaches covet. He displayed range, accuracy, and poise under pressure, traits that are critical in the high-stakes world of SEC football. With Florida navigating a transition year and battling through ups and downs, Smack’s leg often served as a stabilizing factor in close games, providing valuable points when the offense stalled and shifting momentum with clutch field goals.

The Lou Groza Award, named after the legendary Cleveland Browns kicker and offensive tackle, is annually presented to the top collegiate placekicker in the United States. Being named to the watch list is not just a nod to past performance—it signals serious potential to rise as one of the best in the country. For Smack, the selection is particularly meaningful. In 2022, he was named a semifinalist, a reflection of a breakout season in which he made his presence felt across the SEC. But that year, despite his strong statistics and reliability, he ultimately fell short of reaching the final round of voting. That disappointment has quietly fueled him ever since.

This time, the circumstances are different. Smack enters the 2025 season as Florida’s clear No. 1 option at kicker, with added experience and the backing of a coaching staff that has consistently praised his growth, both as an athlete and as a competitor. His preparation has been laser-focused, not just on distance and accuracy, but on situational execution—kicks under pressure, high winds, hostile crowds. The Gators are expecting close contests in one of the toughest conferences in the country, and Smack is expected to be a difference-maker.

What separates Smack from many of his peers is his natural leg power, which has turned heads since his high school days. Capable of hitting from beyond 55 yards in practice with regularity, he brings a weapon to the Florida special teams unit that few schools can match. That range forces defenses to account for scoring opportunities even when the Gators stall outside the red zone. It gives head coach Billy Napier flexibility in play calling, knowing three points are often within reach if the drive sputters. But beyond raw power, Smack’s mechanical consistency has improved dramatically. His plant foot, hip rotation, and ball contact have all become more refined under the guidance of Florida’s special teams staff and strength coaches.

What’s more impressive is how Smack has handled the mental aspects of the position. Placekickers live in the shadow of pressure. A single miss can linger, and public scrutiny is often intense. Smack has shown resilience in bouncing back from rare errors and embracing the mental discipline required to succeed in one of football’s most mentally demanding roles. His teammates speak highly of his quiet confidence and reliability. To them, Smack isn’t just a kicker—he’s a trusted contributor whose points are penciled in, not hoped for.

The road back to national recognition hasn’t been easy. The 2023 season was a test of character, as Florida endured growing pains across several phases of the game. Offensive inconsistencies and defensive lapses often placed the burden of scoring on the special teams unit. Through it all, Smack remained focused and ready. While he didn’t generate as much attention as he had the year prior, those inside the Gators program understood that he was becoming a more complete kicker—someone who didn’t need highlight-reel moments to make an impact, because his value was in his week-to-week dependability.

As the 2025 season approaches, the expectations are clear. The Gators need Smack to be more than just steady—they need him to be great. With a team looking to re-establish itself as a true contender in the SEC, games are likely to come down to key field goals and special teams plays. Smack’s ability to convert in those moments could very well determine whether Florida wins close matchups or falls just short. That kind of responsibility isn’t handed to just anyone, and Smack has earned the trust of the coaching staff through his preparation and his execution.

Nationally, the Lou Groza Award field is stacked. Top-tier programs across the country boast talented kickers with powerful legs and impressive stats. To stand out, Smack will need to produce not only a high conversion rate but also deliver in high-visibility moments. That means nailing game-winners, executing under pressure on national broadcasts, and seizing every chance to prove he can deliver when it matters most. Fortunately for Smack, he has experience on his side, and his calm demeanor in big moments suggests he won’t shy away from the spotlight.

Off the field, Smack has embraced the leadership role that often comes with veteran status. He mentors younger specialists, participates actively in team bonding events, and represents Florida athletics with maturity and professionalism. His work ethic has made him a favorite among coaches and trainers, and his presence in the locker room provides a sense of calm during chaotic games. In a team that is searching for identity and toughness, Smack embodies both.

The Lou Groza Award may be individual in nature, but Smack’s pursuit of it reflects the team-first mentality that defines Florida football. Every field goal he makes is a product of a unit—the snapper, the holder, the protection, the sideline readiness. Smack is quick to credit those around him, never seeking the limelight, even when his performances demand it. That humility, combined with his growing list of accomplishments, has made him one of the most respected kickers in the SEC and beyond.

As the season gets underway, Florida fans will be watching every kick, every point, every moment Smack steps onto the field. They know what’s at stake—not just for the team, but for a player who has quietly, methodically earned his way back into national contention. The Groza watch list is the first step. The next is proving, week by week, that he’s not only one of the best in the country but the best. If he continues on his current trajectory, redemption won’t just be possible—it will be inevitable. And this time, the journey might end not with disappointment, but with a trophy and the title of the nation’s top kicker.