University of Pittsburgh junior placekicker Conor Lee has been named one of 29 preseason candidates for the 2007 Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award, annually presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl.

Kickers on the Lou Groza Award Watch List were chosen based on statistics from the 2006 season and 2007 preseason expectations. However, all Division I-A kickers are eligible for consideration for the award.

Lee (Upper St. Clair, Pa./Upper St. Clair/Fork Union Military Academy) is coming off an outstanding sophomore campaign. He led the Panthers in scoring with 83 points, connecting on an impressive 85.7% of his field goals (12 of 14) and each of his 47 extra-point attempts. Among Big East kickers, Lee ranked first in PAT percentage and second in field goal percentage.

Lee's 83 points marked the third highest single-season scoring total by a Pitt player in the last 25 years. Only receiver Larry Fitzgerald (132 in 2003) and kicker Josh Cummings (89 in 2004) compiled higher season totals during that span.

In addition to his exceptional performance on the field, Lee also was selected to the 2006 Big East All-Academic Football Team and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team. He is pursuing a dual major in economics and business.

A panel of over 300 experts vote on the award, including Division I-A head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers and all previous Groza Award finalists.

The 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award are announced on November 6 with the three finalists announced on November 20. The winner will be presented with the award on December 6 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, broadcast live from Orlando.

The award is named for Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Lee was named to Rivals.com's All-Reliable team last year. Lee has an active streak of 47 PAT's which puts him with striking distance of the school record.

The award is named for Hall of Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Lee was named to Rivals.com's All-Reliable team last year. Lee has an active streak of 47 PAT's which puts him with striking distance of the school record of 60.