Alex Raynor named finalist for Lou Groza Award; JJ Weaver wins Freddie Solomon Spirit Award

How about some college football award news for your Tuesday afternoon? Let’s start with Alex Raynor, who was named a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually by the Orange Bowl to the nation’s top kicker.

Raynor, now in his second season at Kentucky after transferring from Georgia State, has set several school records. His streak of 18 straight field goals is a UK record and the sixth-longest in SEC history. He also holds the best field-goal percentage, 92.6% (25-of-27), in program history and hit the longest field goal, a 55-yarder, vs. No. 1 Georgia earlier this season. He ranks second in points (391) and PATs (181) and third in field goals made (70-of-84) among active FBS players.

The other finalists for the Lou Groza Award are Kenneth Almendares (Louisiana) and Ryan Fitzgerald (Florida State). The finalists will be honored at the 33rd annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 9 in Palm Beach County and the winner will announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.

JJ Weaver wins Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award

JJ Weaver is once again being recognized for his good deeds. The graduate and outside linebacker was named the winner of the 12^th annual Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award. Named in honor of “Fabulous Freddie” Solomon, a University of Tampa standout and Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, the award celebrates athletes who embody Solomon’s legacy of giving back.

We could spend hours discussing the ways Weaver gives back to the community. He was nominated for this award specifically for his focus on mental health and children’s grief. As you know, Weaver was born with six fingers on his right hand (a condition called polydactyly) and was bullied growing up. In college, he dealt with even more adversity. From July 2020 to August 2021, Weaver lost his father to homicide, sustained a season-ending knee injury, and lost his high school football coach to cancer.

In the fall of 2023, Weaver launched an 8-week peer-led grief counseling group on UK’s campus, the first of its kind at UK called “The Perfect Fit Support Group.” With Weaver’s help, “The Perfect Fit Support Group” received a $40,000 grant by Women in Philanthropy and is now available to all students on UK’s campus. It is now known as “LINC” or “Loss Inspiring New Connections.” He’s also participated in many other community service events, including hosting free football camps and bike drives.

On the field, the three-time team captain has totaled 26 tackles and leads the team in sacks (5.0) and quarterback hurries (6) this season. He also has 6.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Weaver currently ranks third at UK in career tackles for loss (38.5) and is fourth in sacks all-time (21.5).

Weaver is also on the watch lists for the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year (semifinalist), and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy (semifinalist). He was also selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and recently received the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 Ron Butler Character in Adversity Award.