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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Palm Beach County Sports Commission has released the 20 semifinalists for the 2015 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award presented by the Orange Bowl. The 20 kickers, which includes Virginia Tech sophomore Joey Slye, have all excelled throughout the season in earning their places as semifinalists.

Slye has connected on 15 of 20 field goals this season, which includes 15 of 17 inside of 50 yards and is 35 of 41 from that distance in his career with Tech. He has also converted on all 27 extra-point attempts this season and has made 46 straight.

The Stafford, Virginia, native booted four field goals at Boston College last Saturday, which tied his career high for makes (vs. Cincinnati, 12/27/14), and five times this season has made at least two field goals in a game. He currently leads the Hokies with 72 points.

Semifinalists will be voted on by FBS Head Coaches and SIDs, a panel of kicking experts including all previous Groza finalists, and national and regional football writers to select the three finalists. These finalists will be announced on November 24th and honored at the 24th annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on December 7th in West Palm Beach, Florida. The winner will be announced live on ESPN at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, December 10th.

The award is named in honor of one of the all-time great kickers in football history, Lou Groza. Groza played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns setting numerous franchise records, including most games played, most points scored, and an amazing 107 consecutive games in which he scored a point. Groza was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

To see the official release and the list of nominees, CLICK HERE.

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