ANN ARBOR – When Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada last spoke to reporters on Aug. 14, he marveled at Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars nailing a 70-yard field goal in a preseason game days earlier.
He’s in a group chat with other kickers around the country, and Little’s bomb of a field goal caught everyone’s attention since it would have set the NFL record by 4 yards had it happened during the regular season.
“I know Cam Little,” Zvada said. “He played at Arkansas, and I was Arkansas State, so not that far from him. I texted him and I was really happy for him. It’s something crazy, something super cool to see done. I knew that he could do it, so it wasn’t a big surprise. But, yeah, everyone was going crazy, like, ‘Dang, bro, that really just happened? We just really saw that?’ It was pretty cool.”
At the time, Zvada said he hadn’t attempted a kick from 70. That has since changed. Special teams coordinator J.B. Brown said Wednesday that the 2024 All-American drilled a 70-yarder in practice at Michigan Stadium, albeit with a tee holder and not in a game setting.
“He’s got a leg,” Brown said. “I think we all know that. But, definitely his range will depend on what the weather is, what the elements are. But, yeah, he’s got a strong leg, and he looks great right now…
“There was a little wind behind him. But, yeah, I feel comfortable putting him out whenever he wants to go out, though.”
Before Zvada went 7 of 7 from 50-plus yards in 2024, the most field goals any Michigan kicker made from that range in a season was four. His long was 56 yards, but he believes he has extended his range entering 2025.
“If we get back to 60 like with no wind, that’s fine,” he said. “If we have to hit it from 60 to end a half or end of game, I’m going to try my best. If at least I miss, I’m going to miss it through the end zone. I’m not going to miss short. But yeah, I can definitely get it from at least 60 – 61, 62, 65 maybe with some wind at my back if I really hit it good.”
After making 34 of 40 field-goal attempts in two seasons at Arkansas State, Zvada was nearly automatic for the Wolverines in 2024. He converted 21 of 22 tries, with his only miss getting blocked. The Arizona native would have been one of the first kickers off the board in the 2025 NFL draft if he declared, but he believes he has unfinished business in Ann Arbor.
“I came back to Michigan because I wasn’t satisfied with how we ended last year,” he said. “Winning eight games is not the Michigan standard. I think everyone in this building knows that. I’m shooting for the (College Football playoff). I want to be playing in those big games, hopefully make it to the national championship. That’s something I really want to be a part of.
“Personal goals – I mean go out there and perform to the highest level I can every time I get the opportunity. Be reliable, be able to give my team confidence that we have three points every time they call for it.”
The Wolverines’ offense finished 17th in the Big Ten in yards per game last season but were 14th in scoring. Zvada’s leg was a primary factor, salvaging numerous stalled drives and putting three points on the board.
Despite Zvada having a nearly flawless season in 2024, Brown said he is going to continue challenging his talented kicker.
“Just being as consistent as we can each day,” Brown said. “That position is so lonely, because you’re the only one out there at times, so you’re the one on the stage. Just continuing to make sure his mental space is right and continuing to be consistent.”
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