College Football Kicker Distance Records: Who Owns It Now?
- 01. College football kicker distance records: Who owns it now?
- 02. The Definitive Record Holders by Division
- 03. Ove Johansson's Unbreakable 69-Yard Legend
- 04. Martin Gramatica and the Modern No-Tee Standard
- 05. Recent Notable Long Field Goals in FBS
- 06. How Goalpost Changes Affected Distance Records
- 07. Division II and FCS Record Holders
- 08. What Makes a Record-Qualifying Kick?
- 09. The Future of College Kicking Records
College football kicker distance records: Who owns it now?
The all-time college football field goal record is 69 yards, kicked by Ove Johansson of Abilene Christian on October 16, 1976, against East Texas State. The FBS-specific record (Division I FBS, the highest level) is 67 yards, shared by Steve Little of Arkansas (1977) and Russell Erxleben of Texas (1977). The longest FBS field goal without a tee is 65 yards, made by Martin Gramatica of Kansas State on September 12, 1998.
The Definitive Record Holders by Division
College football operates under multiple NCAA divisions, each with its own distance record. Understanding the is critical because a 65-yard kick in FCS carries different historical weight than the same distance in Division III.
| Division | Distance | Kicker | Team | Date | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All College (NAIA included) | 69 yards | Ove Johansson | Abilene Christian | Oct 16, 1976 | Used a holding tee; record still stands |
| FBS (Division I) | 67 yards | Steve Little | Arkansas | Oct 1, 1977 | Wind-aided drop kick attempt |
| FBS (Division I) | 67 yards | Russell Erxleben | Texas | Oct 1, 1977 | Straight-on kick later same year |
| FBS (No Tee) | 65 yards | Martin Gramatica | Kansas State | Sep 12, 1998 | Longest since 1991 goalpost narrowing |
| FCS | 63 yards | Scott Roper | Arkansas State | Nov 7, 1987 | Still the FCS benchmark |
| Division II | 64 yards | Garrett Lindholm | Tarleton State | Nov 14, 2009 | Forced overtime, won playoff game |
| Division III | 62 yards | Dom Antonini | Rowan | Sep 18, 1976 | Matched by Matthew Aven in 2013 |
Ove Johansson's Unbreakable 69-Yard Legend
Ove Johansson's 69-yard historic kick remains the gold standard nearly 50 years later. Played at Abilene Christian's home field in Texas, the kick came during a game against East Texas State with Johansson reportedly booting 70-yarders in warm-ups beforehand. The kick occurred just 10 minutes after Tony Franklin of Texas A&M had kicked a 65-yarder, setting up a dramatic distance duel that day.
Crucially, Johansson used a holding tee for the record kick, which was legal until the NCAA banned tees in 1989. This rule change explains why later kickers face a significantly harder challenge. Modern kickers must place the ball on the ground with a holder, reducing stability and exact consistency compared to tees.
Martin Gramatica and the Modern No-Tee Standard
After the 1989 tee ban, Martin Gramatica's 65-yard kick became the new benchmark for pure kicking power without artificial elevation. Gramatica, who later played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, achieved this feat for Kansas State against Northern Illinois on September 12, 1998.
This record is especially meaningful because it stands as the longest successful FBS field goal under current rules. Kickers like Maddux Trujillo of Temple (64 yards in 2024) have come within one yard but haven't surpassed Gramatica's mark.
- October 16, 1976: Ove Johansson kicks 69 yards with tee (Abilene Christian)
- October 1, 1977: Steve Little and Russell Erxleben both kick 67 yards (FBS record)
- September 12, 1998: Martin Gramatica kicks 65 yards without tee (Kansas State)
- November 14, 2009: Garrett Lindholm kicks 64 yards (Tarleton State, Division II)
- September 21, 2024: Maddux Trujillo kicks 64 yards (Temple, longest FBS in 16 years)
Recent Notable Long Field Goals in FBS
Maddux Trujillo of Temple made headlines on September 21, 2024, by kicking a 64-yard field goal against Utah State at Lincoln Financial Field. This was the longest FBS field goal since Jose Martinez of UTEP matched 64 yards in 2008.
Trujillo's kick came from the right hash mark and cleared the crossbar with ease just before halftime. While one yard short of Gramatica's record, it demonstrated that modern technique and turf conditions continue pushing boundaries.
- 64 yards: Maddux Trujillo (Temple, 2024), Jose Martinez (UTEP, 2008), Garrett Lindholm (Tarleton State, 2009)
- 63 yards: Jonathan Garibay (Texas Tech, 2021), Harrison Mevis (Missouri, 2023), Jack Browning (San Diego State, 2023)
- 62 yards: Zach Hintze (Wisconsin, 2019), Antonio Zita (Tennessee State, 2020)
- 61 yards: Wilson Yee (Chadron State, 2023), Joshua Karty (Stanford, 2022), Spencer Benton (Clemson, 2012)
How Goalpost Changes Affected Distance Records
The 1991 goalpost narrowing from 23 feet 4 inches to 18 feet 6 inches dramatically increased kicking difficulty. Martin Gramatica's 65-yard record stands as the longest since this change, making it more impressive than pre-1991 kicks of similar distance.
Before 1989, kickers could use a holding tee that elevated the ball 1-2 inches off the ground. Johansson's 69-yard record benefitied from this advantage, which is why many analysts consider Erxleben's 67-yard no-tee FBS record the true modern standard.
Division II and FCS Record Holders
Garrett Lindholm of Tarleton State set the Division II record at 64 yards on November 14, 2009, against Texas A&M-Kingsville. The kick came as time expired, forcing overtime that Tarleton won in the playoff game.
In FCS, Scott Roper of Arkansas State holds the 63-yard record from November 7, 1987, against North Texas. This record has stood for over 35 years despite improved kickingtechnology.
"Johansson reportedly kicked 70-yarders during warm-up before the game, suggesting the 69-yard game kick was within his comfortable range that day." - NCAA.com historical analysis
What Makes a Record-Qualifying Kick?
For a field goal distance to be officially recognized, the NCAA requires specific conditions: the kick must occur during a regulated game (not warm-ups), the ball must cross the crossbar between the uprights, and the distance is measured from the spot of the kick to the goal line plus 10 yards (end zone depth).
Weather conditions like wind assistance are noted but don't disqualify records. Steve Little's 67-yard kick was reportedly wind-aided, yet it remains official alongside Erxleben's cleaner kick later that same day.
The Future of College Kicking Records
With modern kicking coaches emphasizing technique over raw power, the next record breaker may emerge from a player combining elite leg strength with precise ball placement. Kickers like Joshua Karty (Stanford) and Harrison Mevis (Missouri) have consistently hit 61+ yarders, showing the depth of talent.
Turf fields versus natural grass also impact kicking distance, with artificial turf providing more consistent footing for plant legs. Programs investing in turf replacement may see improved kicking statistics across the board in coming seasons.
The college football kicker distance records remain a fascinating intersection of athletic ability, rule changes, and historical circumstance. Whether you're tracking the all-time 69-yard record or the modern no-tee standard, these numbers represent decades of kicking evolution.
What are the most common questions about College Football Kicker Distance Records Who Owns It Now?
Who holds the college football longest field goal record?
Ove Johansson of Abilene Christian holds the record with a 69-yard field goal kicked on October 16, 1976, against East Texas State. This remains the official NCAA all-division record.
What is the longest FBS field goal ever?
The FBS record is 67 yards, shared by Steve Little (Arkansas) and Russell Erxleben (Texas), both achieved on October 1, 1977. Erxleben's kick is the recognized standard for modern play.
Did cam little break the college football record?
Cam Little kicked a 70-yard field goal in an NFL preseason game in 2025, which surpassed Johansson's 69-yard college record. However, preseason NFL stats don't count as official records, and this was an NFL game, not college, so Johansson's NCAA record remains untouched.
Why is Ove Johansson's record so hard to beat?
Johansson's 69-yard kick used a holding tee, which was banned in 1989. Modern kickers must use a holder on the ground, reducing stability. Combined with narrower goalposts since 1991, the physical challenge is significantly greater today.
Does wind assistance invalidate a record?
No, wind assistance does not invalidate a field goal record. Steve Little's 67-yard kick was wind-aided but remains an official FBS record alongside Russell Erxleben's kick later the same day.
When was the holding tee banned in college football?
The NCAA banned holding tees for field goals in 1989. This rule change required kickers to use a holder on the ground, making long kicks more difficult.