Skip to main content
georgia logo

Georgia PK Jack Podlesny named semifinalist for Lou Groza Award

On3 imageby:Jake Rowe•11/10/22•

JakeMRowe

On3 image
Photo by Tony Walsh

Jack Podlesny’s third season as Georgia’s place-kicker is going quite well. So well, in fact, that he’s back in the mix to win his positions most prestigious prize — the Lou Groza Award.

Podlesny finds himself as a semifinalist for the second time in his career. He was in the same spot in 2020, his first as UGA’s starting place-kicker after he replaced fan-favorite Rodrigo Blankenship, who won the Lou Groza Award in 2019.

The St. Simons native is tied for the SEC lead in points per game at 10.2. That has him in a tie for No. 2 nationally. Podlesny was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season. He made three of three field goals against Kent State to earn the honor in week four. He did it again the following week by making four of four in a win over Missouri.

The 2022 season as a whole has been really strong for Podlesny. He has connected on 16 of 18 attempts, which comes out to 89 percent. He has also made all 44 of his point-after attempts this season.

Podlesny was not a Groza semifinalist in 2021 but still turned in a stellar season. He made 22 of 27 field goals in the year. His two made field goals in the National Championship against Alabama, one of which was from 49 yards out, kept the Bulldogs in that game.

The Bulldogs place-kicker really burst onto the scene at the end of the 2020 season. He had made 12 of 15 field goals going into the final seconds of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl matchup with Cincinnati. Then he drilled a 55-yard field goal to put Georgia on top with just three seconds remaining. UGA’s defense got a sack for a safety to cap off the 24-21 victory.

“Jack done proved himself in a game, I feel like,” senior wideout Kearis Jackson said recently. “You know, going back all the way to the Peach Bowl when he made I think it was a 50-something-yard field goal to win us the game. I mean, he’s done put us in situations where he’s made clutch field goals. As a teammate I trust Jack, and everybody else trusts him as well because we know the work he’s put in throughout the week plus his godly manner. Just knowing that we’re all praying for each other and things like that, I’ve got tremendous trust in him.”

Maybe just as impactful as Podlesny’s point-scoring is his work on kickoffs. Podlesny has had 53 of his 63 kickoffs either go for a touchback or be fair caught by the opposition.

He’ll try and help Georgia win and move to 10-0 in a tough environment this weekend. UGA will be at Mississippi State with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Georgia will travel to Kentucky on November 19 for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on CBS. That’ll be followed by the regular-season finale and senior day for Georgia as it hosts Georgia Tech on November 26. Kickoff and television have not yet been announced.

You may also like