Kirk Ferentz was active in the transfer portal this offseason. The longtime Iowa head coach added key names like Tony Diaz, L.J. Phillips Jr., Tyler Brown, and Anthony Hawkins. But, his most impactful addition might be flying under the radar.The Hawkeyes lost All-American kicker Drew Stevens to the NFL in the spring. The program prides itself on strong special teams play and needed a replacement for Stevens. That led to Iowa going after and landing Eli Ozick out of the portal.Ozick, a North Dakota State transfer, is expected to win the starting place-kicking job in camp. The national media is high on his potential. On Friday, Ozick was named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list.New Hawk on the block @eli_ozick @LouGrozaAward Watch List pic.twitter.com/CRYFhYtHQV Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 7, 2026The Lou Groza Award is awarded annually to the best placekicker in the country. Iowa hasnt had a kicker win the Lou Groza Award since 2002, when Nate Kaeding took home the honor.Despite some great seasons from Stevens, Keith Duncan, and Caleb Shudak, the Hawkeyes have been shut out from that award recently. Ozick will look to break through in 2026.With the Bisons last season, Ozick went 16 of 18 on field goal attempts and 62 of 63 on extra points. Ozick's longest field goal make was 54 yards.Contact/Follow us@HawkeyesWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Zach on X:@zach_hineyThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football K Eli Ozick named to Lou Groza Award watch list