Ranking the Big Ten: Kicker
As the 2025 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.
We continue our annual Ranking the Big Ten series today with the kickers. Clutchness, consistency, and big legs make this year’s group as talented as ever.
Previous Ranking the Big Tens: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | OLB | DT | ILB | CB | S
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1. Dominic Zvada, Michigan
Dominic Zvada established himself as not only the top kicker in the Big Ten last season but also one of the best in all of college football. The Arkansas State transfer hauled in one accolade after another in 2024, including earning first-team All-American honors and winning the conference’s Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year award.
Zvada converted 21-of-22 field goals, a 95.5-percent clip, to set a UM single-season record. That included hitting all seven of his attempts from 50-plus yards. That made him the first Wolverine kicker to make four or more field goals from 50-plus yards in a season and set the school’s career mark for most makes from 50 or longer.
The two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist (2022 and 2024) returns this fall as one of the most effective special teams X-factors in the game.
2. Drew Stevens, Iowa
No program in the country is more defined by its special teams than Iowa. Kicker Drew Stevens has been a significant reason over the past three seasons.
Stevens was once again nearly automatic for the Hawkeyes in 2024, hitting 20-of-23 field goals and all 40 of his extra points. That included a 53-yard walk-off FG to close the regular season against Nebraska – the third game-winner of his career.
The North Augusta, S.C., native earned third-team All-Big Ten for his efforts, giving him all-conference postseason honors for the third straight year. His 54 made field goals rank fourth in Iowa history, and his 245 career points are seventh. Stevens could go down as one of the program’s most productive kickers ever when all is said and done.
3. Atticus Sappington, Oregon
In part because of Oregon’s offensive potency, Atticus Sappington didn’t have quite the number of opportunities as other kickers on this list. However, when he got his chances, he made the most of them.
Sappington connected on 14-of-16 field goals and 41-of-43 extra points, finishing third in the Big Ten and tying for 18th nationally with an 87.5 FG percentage. His 83 points also ranked second on a Ducks squad that averaged 34.9 points per game in 2024.
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Sappington earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors last season. If he can replicate his efficiency with a potentially larger workload, he should again stand as one of the league’s best in 2025.
4. David Olano, Illinois
David Olano didn’t get to showcase much of his kicking range last season, only going 1-for-2 on field goals beyond 50 yards. However, when Illinois was inside 40 yards, he was perfect.
Olano finished 17-of-20 on the year, hitting all 12 of his tries from 40 yards or closer. He finished fifth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (85.0) and sixth in made FGs per game (1.42).
He earned honorable mention all-conference honors for his efforts. He’ll again be an important piece as the Fighting Illini hope to make waves in 2025.
5. Ryan Barker, Penn State
Ryan Barker took over as Penn State’s starting placekicker as a redshirt freshman in 2024. He quickly established himself as the Nittany Lions’ kicker for years to come.
Barker didn’t attempt a field goal beyond 50 yards (his long was 49), but he cashed in on 15 of his 18 tries and hit all nine from 39 yards and in. His 83.3 field-goal percentage tied for third on the PSU all-time single-season list.
On a Penn State squad with national title aspirations, the honorable mention All-Big Ten pick will again be a valuable weapon this season.
