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Photo by: Khon Saysamongdy
Watanabe added to Lou Groza Award watch list
8/9/2026 2:15:00 PM | Football
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Fresno State kicker Manaki Watanabe was named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Lou Groza Award, announced by the organization last week. Watanabe enters his first year with the Bulldogs after transferring in from Ashland in January.
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Watanabe is one of three athletes on the preseason watch list who excelled at the Division II, Division III or FCS level, and now have their spots in the FBS. He is one of 35 kickers on the preseason watch list this summer. He is the only Pac-12 kicker on the list, and one of just three from the West Coast (USC, Washington).Â
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At Ashland, Watanabe led all Division II kickers in field goals and in accuracy. He was 21-of-22 in his FG attempts last season. His 21 field goals were a program record, and earned him All-America status. His career-long field goal of 59 yards was also a program record for Ashland.
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Watanabe takes over after Bulldog kicker Dylan Lynch graduated. Lynch was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2023, and graduated as the program's fourth-leading scorer.
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The Bulldogs have a week of fall camp under their belt, and inch closer to kickoff at No. 14 USC on Sept. 4. Tickets are available here.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
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Watanabe is one of three athletes on the preseason watch list who excelled at the Division II, Division III or FCS level, and now have their spots in the FBS. He is one of 35 kickers on the preseason watch list this summer. He is the only Pac-12 kicker on the list, and one of just three from the West Coast (USC, Washington).Â
Â
At Ashland, Watanabe led all Division II kickers in field goals and in accuracy. He was 21-of-22 in his FG attempts last season. His 21 field goals were a program record, and earned him All-America status. His career-long field goal of 59 yards was also a program record for Ashland.
Â
Watanabe takes over after Bulldog kicker Dylan Lynch graduated. Lynch was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2023, and graduated as the program's fourth-leading scorer.
Â
The Bulldogs have a week of fall camp under their belt, and inch closer to kickoff at No. 14 USC on Sept. 4. Tickets are available here.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
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