Top Big Ten College Football Kickers of 2024
As the 2024 college football season looms, the focus shifts to Big Ten’s standout kickers. These players often become game-changers due to their pivotal roles in special teams.
Dragan Kesich of Minnesota sits atop the list. He returns for his fifth year after claiming the Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year award, converting 23-of-27 field goals and all 27 extra points. Impressively, he nailed 10 field goals from beyond 40 yards and led the league with a 64.7-yard kickoff average, recording 53 touchbacks out of 62 attempts.
Iowa’s Drew Stevens follows closely, having built a solid reputation. Named a Groza Award semifinalist twice, he made 18-of-26 field goals and 19-of-20 PATs last season. The junior kicker, now 34-of-44 in his career, is expected to be a key contributor for the Hawkeyes again this season.
Wisconsin’s Nathanial Vakos comes in third. Another Groza semi-finalist, Vakos made 15-of-19 field goals, hitting his first eight attempts—a first since 1988 for the Badgers. Known for his near-perfect record inside 50 yards, the junior from Avon, Ohio, remains a crucial part of Wisconsin’s kicking squad.
