Michigan Wolverines kicker Dominic Zvada will be one of the most interesting special teams debates in the 2026 NFL Draft. In two seasons with the Wolverines, he went from being the nation’s best kicker to struggling mightily a year later, making special teams evaluators question what kind of kicker they are getting if they choose to draft/sign him.
Quick Facts
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 178 pounds
- Arm Length: 31 ¾”
- Hand Length: 9 1/8’’
- Draft Day Age: 22 years old
- Career stats: 51 games (51 starts), 72-for-87 in field goals, 140-for-142 in extra points, 18-for-21 from 20-29 yards, 22-for-27 from 30-39 yards, 19-for-26 from 40-49 yards, 11-for-13 from 50+ yards
Strengths
- Connected at an 84 percent career clip on kicks beyond 50 yards.
- Hit 21-of-22 field goals in 2024, including all seven from 50+ yards, breaking Michigan program records.
- Made all seven kicks against rivals Michigan State and Ohio State as a Wolverine.
- Successfully hit multiple game-winners in high pressure situations, including the defeat over Ohio State in 2024 and keeping the season alive against Northwestern in 2025.
Weaknesses
- Sub-80 percent make rate on kicks inside of 40 yards since 2023.
- Inconsistent lift off his foot opens him to blocked kicks.
- Struggled with confidence and aim during intermediate kicks from the hashes.
Summary
Zvada has reached both highs and lows in his two seasons in Ann Arbor. He transferred in ahead of the 2024 season after starting for Arkansas State his first
two years. He had big shoes to fill, replacing Michigan kicking legend Jake Moody, who played a huge role in the Wolverines’ quest to win a National Championship.
Despite the pressure, Zvada was a record-breaking kicker as a junior. He won the Big Ten Kicker of the Year, converting 95.5 percent of his field goal attempts, including 7-of-7 50+ yards, both setting Michigan records. He was automatic when the Wolverines needed three points and was key in extending Michigan’s four-game win streak over Ohio State.
Zvada could have left Ann Arbor for the NFL Draft in 2025, but he chose to return. Unfortunately, his senior year was not as successful as his first year with the program. He earned Walter Camp Preseason All-American honors, but converted just 17-of-25 field goals. He was 2-for-3 from 50+ and matched his career long of 56, but never reached last season’s consistency.
There is no question Zvada can hit the long ball, but it might be overshadowed by his inconsistencies with mid-range and shorter kicks. In a league where makes from mid-range to deep are now expected, consistency from inside the 40 is absolutely demanded.
Still, Mel Kiper projected Zvada as the third kicker off the board in his NFL Draft positional rankings, putting him in Round 6-7 territory. If Zvada finds his 2024 form and stays there, he will make an NFL roster.
