Jeff Budzien (Football, 2009-13)
A two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, two-time Big Ten Kicker of the Year and a 2013 first team All-American, Jeff Budzien graduated as Northwestern’s career record holder for points (280), field goal percentage (.872), single-season field goals made (23), consecutive field goals made (17) and extra points made (136-for-136). Budzien remains the most accurate kicker in Big Ten history among kickers with at least 50 career attempts.
Earning the starting placekicker duties as a sophomore in 2011, Budzien led the Big Ten with a spotless 50-for-50 mark in extra points. His breakout season came in 2012 when he became NU’s first First Team All-Big Ten kicker since 1997 and was named a national semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award. Budzien was 19-for-20 in field goal attempts including a perfect 19-for-19 inside of 45 yards. His .950 percentage set NU’s single-season record.
As a senior in 2013, Budzien repeated as both Big Ten Kicker of the Year and as a First Team All-Big Ten selection. In addition to his Sporting News First Team All-American choice, he picked up Second Team All-American nods from the Walter Camp Foundation and Bleacher Report. Budzien was second in the nation in 2013 with 1.9 field goals per game, finishing 23-of-25 in total and a perfect 17-of-17 in Big Ten play.
In addition to his on-field prowess, Budzien was named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works team, was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Earning the starting placekicker duties as a sophomore in 2011, Budzien led the Big Ten with a spotless 50-for-50 mark in extra points. His breakout season came in 2012 when he became NU’s first First Team All-Big Ten kicker since 1997 and was named a national semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award. Budzien was 19-for-20 in field goal attempts including a perfect 19-for-19 inside of 45 yards. His .950 percentage set NU’s single-season record.
As a senior in 2013, Budzien repeated as both Big Ten Kicker of the Year and as a First Team All-Big Ten selection. In addition to his Sporting News First Team All-American choice, he picked up Second Team All-American nods from the Walter Camp Foundation and Bleacher Report. Budzien was second in the nation in 2013 with 1.9 field goals per game, finishing 23-of-25 in total and a perfect 17-of-17 in Big Ten play.
In addition to his on-field prowess, Budzien was named to the AFCA Allstate Good Works team, was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
