Alex Raynor Named Sporting News All-American

Kentucky kicker Alex Raynor, who completed his record-breaking career last month, has been voted to The Sporting News Second Team, it was announced Wednesday.

Raynor, a native of Kennesaw, Georgia, just completed his second season at UK after beginning his career at Georgia Southern. For the Wildcats this season, he made 15-of-16 field goals, and at 93.8 percent, broke his own school record for best field goal percentage in a single season (made 10 of 11, 90.9 percent, last year). He finished the regular season leading the Southeastern Conference and ranking eighth nationally in that category. Altogether at UK, he hit 12-of-13 on field goals of 40+ yards, including 4-of-5 on attempts of 50 yards or longer.

For his success, Raynor was named the 2024 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and was a first-team All-SEC choice by the league’s coaches. He also has been named an AFCA All-American and to several additional All-SEC squads. He also was named a Lou Groza Finalist for the nation’s top placekicker and was a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist in both 2023 and 2024.

He hit a UK-record 18 consecutive field goals that ranked as the sixth-longest streak in SEC history. Additionally, he set a school record with a 55-yard field goal against then-No. 1 Georgia. He also hit a 51-yarder against Georgia, becoming only the second player in school history with two 50-yarders in one game, the first since 1977.

Raynor concluded his career making 25-of-27 field goals and at 92.6 percent, broke the UK and SEC career records for percentage. He hit 74-of-76 on extra points, totaling 149 points in his two seasons as a Wildcat.

Including three years at Georgia Southern, Raynor ranked second among active players in points (393) and PATs (183) and third in field goals made (70-of-84).

Off the field, Raynor graduated in May of ’23 from Georgia Southern with a degree in marketing. He earned an undergraduate certificate in business from UK in May of ’24 and is currently working on a graduate certificate in sport, fitness and recreation management.

Kentucky’s Postseason Awards/Honors since Dec. 13:

Alex Raynor

First Team All-SEC, kicker (coaches)

SEC Special Teams Player of the Year (coaches)

Lou Groza Award, finalist

Second Team All-America, kicker (AFCA,Sporting News)

Malachi Wood

All-SEC Freshman (coaches)

Barion Brown

First Team All-SEC, return specialist (coaches)

Second Team All-SEC, all-purpose (coaches)

Deone Walker

Third Team All-SEC, defensive line (coaches)

Eli Cox 

Third Team All-SEC, center (coaches)

Josh Kattus

SEC Community Service Team

Pop Warner College Football Award, finalist

J.J. Weaver

AFCA Allstate Good Works Team

Jason Witten College Football Man of the Year, finalist