When it comes to special teams, few positions carry as much pressure and as much clutch responsibility as the kicker. The NFL has long valued consistent legs, from last-second game-winners to ice-cold playoff boots. But where do these reliable kickers come from?
The answer lies deep in the heart of college football, where some programs have become pipelines for NFL kickers. Historical draft data reveals the top 25 schools that have produced the most NFL Draft kicker picks, and the results may surprise even the most die-hard fans.
Which College Football Program Produced the Most NFL Draft Kicker Picks?
From iconic programs like Notre Dame and USC to schools like Iowa and Virginia Tech, these universities have all had a hand, or rather, a foot, in shaping the league’s kicking game. Here’s a countdown of the top 25 programs that produced the most NFL Draft kicker picks, led by two of college football’s most storied names: Ohio State and USC.
25. Iowa Hawkeyes: 35
The Hawkeyes have produced 35 kickers selected in the NFL Draft, including standout Nate Kaeding, a former All-American who became one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history during his time with the Chargers.
T-23. South Carolina Gamecocks: 37
South Carolina contributed 37 kickers to the draft, including Ryan Succop, who was famously dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” as the last pick in 2009 before enjoying a long NFL career and winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.
T-23. Pittsburgh Panthers: 37
Tied with the Gamecocks, Pitt’s kicker legacy includes Matt Bahr, who not only played in multiple Super Bowls but also followed in the footsteps of his brother, Chris, to form one of the most successful kicking families in NFL history.
22. Virginia Tech Hokies: 40
Known for their “Beamer Ball” emphasis on special teams, Virginia Tech’s 40 drafted kickers include longtime NFL veteran Shayne Graham, who played for more than 10 teams during his career and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2005.
21. Washington Huskies: 41
The Huskies produced 41 NFL kicker draft picks, with Jeff Jaeger standing out as a record-setter who became the all-time leading scorer at the time of his college graduation and went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL.
T-18. Texas A&M Aggies: 42
The Aggies’ 42 kicker selections include Tony Franklin, a barefoot kicking legend who once held the NCAA record for the longest field goal (65 yards) and enjoyed a productive NFL career with the Eagles and Patriots.
Totally random…
Tony Franklin while at Texas A&M
Who’s the holder? pic.twitter.com/DTwmLF6eie
— 𝕃𝕦𝕧 𝕐𝕒 𝔹𝕝𝕦𝕖 (@BudsOilers) February 4, 2025
T-18. Penn State Nittany Lions: 42
With 42 kickers drafted, Penn State’s most notable contribution might be Matt Bahr, a clutch postseason performer whose 1990 NFC Championship field goal sent the Giants to Super Bowl XXV.
T-18. Michigan State Spartans: 42
Michigan State’s kicking legacy is anchored by the great Morten Andersen, one of the most decorated players in NFL history. Upon his retirement, he held the league’s all-time scoring record and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
17. Oregon Ducks: 43
Oregon’s 43 kicker picks reflect the Ducks’ commitment to special teams as much as speed, and include reliable college kickers like Josh Frankel and experienced specialists who transitioned smoothly to the pro game.
T-15. UCLA Bruins: 45
UCLA’s 45 drafted kickers include Chris Sailer, who made a name for himself in college and then revolutionized the position by founding one of the premier kicking camps in the country, training the next generation of specialists.
T-15. Clemson Tigers: 45
Clemson matches UCLA with 45 kicker picks, with Chandler Catanzaro leading the pack after a successful college career that turned into several solid seasons in the NFL with teams like the Cardinals and Jets.
14. Tennessee Volunteers: 49
The Vols’ 49 kicker selections include Fuad Reveiz, who was known for his booming leg and helped Tennessee win multiple bowl games before transitioning into a decade-long NFL career, primarily with the Dolphins and Vikings.
13. Michigan Wolverines: 50
Michigan’s 50 kicker picks include several consistent college performers, such as Hayden Epstein and Ali Haji-Sheikh, the latter of whom set a then-NFL rookie scoring record with the New York Giants in 1983.
T-11. Florida Gators: 51
The Gators have had 51 kickers drafted, with Jeff Chandler leading the way after setting numerous school scoring records and being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 4th round of the 2002 draft.
T-11. Colorado Buffaloes: 51
Colorado, tied with Florida, has produced solid NFL legs like Mason Crosby, who became a franchise mainstay for the Green Bay Packers, winning a Super Bowl and delivering multiple clutch postseason kicks.
T-9. Nebraska Cornhuskers: 54
Nebraska’s tradition of tough football includes a solid kicking pipeline, with 54 draftees, including Alex Henery, who set multiple school records and went on to kick for the Philadelphia Eagles.
T-9. Georgia Bulldogs: 54
Also, with 54 kicker draft picks, Georgia’s most notable name is Kevin Butler, who became the first kicker inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and helped the Bears win Super Bowl XX.
8. Florida State Seminoles: 55
The ‘Noles have long emphasized strong special teams, producing 55 kicker picks, including Sebastian Janikowski, a rare first-round selection in 2000 who spent nearly two decades with the Raiders and became known for his booming leg.
7. Oklahoma Sooners: 56
The Sooners have sent 56 kickers to the NFL Draft, including Uwe von Schamann, whose game-winning field goals became legendary in Norman, and more recent draft picks like Austin Seibert, who quickly found a home in the league.
T-4. Texas Longhorns: 57
The Longhorns’ 57 kicker picks include Justin Tucker, who was undrafted but is widely regarded as the most excellent kicker in NFL history thanks to his unmatched accuracy and game-winning consistency for the Ravens.
T-4. Miami (FL) Hurricanes: 57
Miami shares the No. 5 spot with Texas, having also produced 57 kickers. Among them is Carlos Huerta, one of the most prolific scorers in college football history, and Matt Bosher, a rare dual punter/kicker who thrived with the Falcons.
T-4. LSU Tigers: 57
Tied with Miami and Texas, LSU’s special teams unit has quietly produced elite kicking talent, including Colt David and Drew Alleman. At the same time, its overall emphasis on high-level athletes has made it a consistent contributor to the NFL kicking ranks.
KEEP READING: Most Tight Ends Selected in the NFL Draft – Led by Notre Dame and Penn State
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 58
Notre Dame’s legacy of kicker excellence includes 58 draft picks, highlighted by John Carney, who scored over 2,000 points in the NFL and remained a reliable option into his mid-40s. The Irish have long stressed fundamentals and consistency in their special teams.
2. USC Trojans: 64
The Trojans boast 64 kicker draft picks, with standouts like David Buehler, who doubled as a kickoff specialist with elite athleticism, and Frank Jordan, part of USC’s deep tradition of sending polished specialists to the league.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes: 69
Leading all schools, Ohio State has sent 69 kickers to the NFL, with big names like Mike Nugent, a Lou Groza Award winner who kicked for over a decade in the league, and Tom Skladany, a three-time All-American who helped set the standard for future Buckeye kickers. Their dominance in this position mirrors the program’s excellence across the board.
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