Top 10 kickers to watch out for in Week 9 of college football featuring Ryan Fitzgerald
Kickers are staying busy as college football games are increasingly competitive as the season goes on. Many games come down to a do-or-die kick. For some teams, that's a dream scenario. Some kickers are consistent and talented, capable of hitting long-driving kicks without giving up accuracy.
Here are 10 of the nation's best kickers to watch out for during Week 9.
Top 10 kickers to watch during Week 9
#10. Alex Raynor, Kentucky
Raynor is one of seven active kickers who is perfect on field goals this year. Oddly, he and the Kentucky Wildcats are struggling a bit in the snapping game, but Raynor has been perfect on field goals at 11 for 11. That includes two makes from 50+ yards, including a 55-yard kick that set a new Kentucky record. Raynor and Co. face Auburn this week.
#9. Austin Welch, Kennesaw State
Another member of the perfect kicker group, Welch's 9-for-9 is impressive in his first FBS football action. A transfer from FCS Eastern Kentucky, Welch has nailed all his kicks this year, including a 49-yard boot. Welch and the Owls face Liberty on Wednesday.
#8. Upton Bellenfant, Buffalo
A transfer from Alabama, where he never saw any action, Bellenfant is another of the perfect kickers. He is 9-for-9 on the season, with a long make of 47 yards out. Bellenfant is also capable on kickoffs, burying 17 of his 34 kickoffs for touchbacks. He's versatile, impressive and still only a sophomore.
#7. Caden Chittenden, UNLV
Chittenden has been the busiest kicker in the nation. His 17 field goals (in 19 tries) tops the nation. Chittenden's long so far is 46 yards, but he's also notable as a true freshman. He's done a nice job on kickoffs as well, with 28 touchbacks in 47 kickoffs.
#6. Buck Buchanan, Louisiana Tech
Buchanan is 7-for-9 on field goals this year, including a 57-yard boot. But he's a multi-dimensional star. Of Buchanan's 33 kickoffs this season, 32 have gone as touchbacks. He's a multi-level standout for the Bulldogs, who already played on Tuesday against UTEP, winning 14-10.
#5. Gino Garcia, Texas Tech
Garcia is 10-for-10 this year on field goal tries. His long for the season has been a 45-yard kick, but Garcia his three 50+ yard kicks last season for the Red Raiders, including a 55-yard boot. The super senior hasn't needed any long kicks yet, but he'll be ready against TCU this week.
#4. Tyler Loop, Arizona
A senior standout, Loop has been excellent on field goals, connecting on 14-of-18 kicks, including three 50+ yard tries. But perhaps even more amazing, Loop is the only regular kickoff kicker who has converted every kickoff into a touchback. Yes, 35 of his 35 kickoffs have been touchbacks. He and the Wildcats face West Virginia this week.
#3. Jonathan Kim, Michigan State
Kim transferred in from North Carolina. He was outstanding last year for the Spartans and followed up by going 15-for-16 so far in 2024. Those makes include a trio of 50+ yard kicks, with a 55-yarder in his last game against Iowa. Kim's good on kickoffs as well, with 19 touchbacks in 34 kicks. He'll face Michigan this week.
#2. Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh
Sauls is another of the perfect kickers this season. The senior is 10-for-10 on field goals, including a 58-yard bomb in a two-point win over Cal. Sauls also hit a game-winner in the closing seconds against Cincinnati. He and the Panthers face Syracuse this week.
#1. Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State
Fitzgerald is proof that a great kicker doesn't necessarily go with a great team. Sure, the Florida State Seminoles are headed nowhere fast. Fitzgerald is 9-for-10 on field goals and has connected on three 50+ yard blasts, including a 59-yard boot in the opener against Georgia Tech. Fitzgerald might be one of the few FSU highlights this week at Miami.
Which kickers will you be keeping an eye on in Week 9? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.