Redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell’s first season at OU has produced one of the most statistically productive kicking years in program history while helping the Sooners reach the College Football Playoffs.
Sandell made 23 consecutive field goals, breaking OU’s all-time record of 18. He converted all seven attempts from 50 yards or more. He finished the regular season 10 for 10 on field goals from 45 yards and out, made a nation-leading 15 field goals of 40-plus yards and converted all 32 of his point-after attempts. His performance in OU’s road win at Tennessee tied the Neyland Stadium record for longest field goal at 55 yards. His performances led to him being OU’s first player to win the 2025 Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation’s top placekicker. The award recognized his accuracy, range and consistency throughout the season and marked the first time a Sooner has received the honor.
Sandell said confidence and preparation are central to his consistent performance. “It’s the amount of preparation that we’ve done during the week that stacks that confidence and allows you to go on the field and operate at a high level,” Sandell said.
The left-footed placekicker comes from Port Neches, Texas, and transferred from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His development included late-night practice sessions dating back to high school.
“I always sound so cliche, but I wanted to just get a little bit better every day,” Sandell said. “I know not everybody else is doing that. … That was just the way I had to do it.”
Sandell’s journey was not straightforward, though. He walked on at UTSA, and there was a point when continuing to play football was uncertain due to financial considerations.
“If you were to tell me I’d be here in three years, I’d laugh at you,” Sandell said. “There was a point where me and my dad had that conversation, ‘Man, the money is running out, we’re going to have to think about some things.’ I’m not going to put my family in a financial burden, so I was almost done.”
However, he stuck with it and was 19-for-23 on field goals at UTSA before moving to Norman. Head coach Brent Venables said that the kicker’s mindset quickly impressed him.
“My first memories are his visit with his mother and father sitting in my office,” Venables said. “His confidence, … you could see where he got it from.”
Venables added that Sandell’s personality helped him integrate into the locker room immediately.
“He’s a guy’s guy,” Venables said. “He’s not an introvert. He’s into a lot of the things (that) the locker room is into. He fit in right away.”
Venables also noted that Sandell approached his move to OU with focus and competitiveness.
“He was running toward Oklahoma,” Venables said. “’He’s had a lot of respect for his opportunity and resonated with his teammates immediately, but very, very competitive.”
However, despite his journey and historic season, Sandell is not getting caught up in reflection, and his focus remains on the path ahead: the College Football Playoffs.
“I’m just focused on playing Alabama on Friday,” Sandell said.
Sandell and the Sooners will kick off the first round of the playoffs against Alabama at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on ABC.
This story was edited by Josh McDaniel.