Memphis kicker Chris Howard was named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2022 Lou Groza Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced on Thursday. The Lou Groza award is given annually to college football's best kicker.
 
On the season, Howard is 14-of-16 on field goals and 33-of-34 on extra point attempts. Howard transferred to Memphis before the season from Florida.
 
Semifinalists will be voted on by a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced Nov. 29 and honored at the 31st annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet  Dec. 5 in Palm Beach County. The same panel then selects the winner, who will be announced live on ESPN during the Home Depot College Football Awards Thursday, Dec. 8.
 
The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.