The Ohio State football program is hoping they have finally addressed its kicking issues. Despite Jayden Fielding missing big kicks in 2024, they brought him back in 2025. He did his thing again, missing a short field goal in the Big Ten Championship and missing another one in the Cotton Bowl.
Fielding is finally gone after three years as the starting kicker. It's unlikely he gets drafted, although he did have a solid Pro Day performance. The Ohio State Buckeyes went into the Transfer Portal to grab Connor Hawkins from Baylor to replace him. Hawkins should be the answer to their kicking woes.
On Saturday, the Buckeyes had their annual student appreciation day. It was a great opportunity for students to get to see the team before the Spring Game in a couple of weeks. At the end, Hawkins passed his first real pressure test since coming to Ohio State.
Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins drills a pressure-packed kick at student appreciation day
At the end of practice, Ryan Day had all of the students crowd around Hawkins to make a kick. He was able to drill it, much to the delight of everyone standing around.
Ohio State closed it’s Student Appreciation Day with a high-pressure kick for Connor Hawkins. He drilled it down the middle. pic.twitter.com/eASMkj2kRb
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) April 4, 2026
While the kick wasn't very long, Buckeye fans watched Fielding miss short ones in massive games. Hawkins showing that he can hit a semi-pressure-packed kick is a good start to his Ohio State football career, even if it didn't happen in an actual game yet.
Hawkins kicked well as a freshman at Baylor, so the Buckeyes feel confident that he should be able to win games for them if necessary. If Ohio State is as good as they think they should be, they just need Hawkins to make the kicks he is supposed to make.
Fans will get a better look at him in a couple of weeks at the Spring Game.