In 2023, ESPN analyst and former NFL kicker and punter Pat McAfee launched his ESPN College GameDay kicking challenge, where students attempt a 33-yard kick to earn five- or six-figure sums. It returned for a fourth season this fall, and early on, it’s shaping up to be students’ most lucrative season yet.
Through just the first three weeks of the season, the contest has awarded $2.2 million, after giving out $2.7 million last season.
James Whitehead, a freshman finance major from Ole Miss, made his first attempt on Saturday, winning the $1 million prize. This season, contestants can win more than during previous years, as Home Depot has agreed to match McAfee’s contributions. Whitehead’s winnings split: $500,000 from McAfee and $500,000 from Home Depot.
Each episode, the crew picks one fan from the crowd to kick a 33-yard field goal live on-air—the length of an extra point—in exchange for a monetary prize to help cover tuition costs; in some cases, there’s extra leftover for charity. Fans who are 18 or older and among the first 300 to show up to the broadcast are eligible—they just can’t be current or former college athletes, under the influence of alcohol, or wearing shoes other than sneakers or cleats. Fans enter their name through a raffle, which takes place about 30 minutes before the show begins. (The official rules are on ESPN’s website.)
The gimmick has become a fan favorite and show highlight. In December 2024, the GameDaycrew drove McAfee’s goalposts in a truck overnight from South Bend, Ind., to Columbus, Ohio, during a special two-episode, 24-hour expanded College Football Playoff edition of the show.
Here’s a tracker of all the students who have made and missed kicks this year—for a total of $2.2 million so far:
Week 1 in Baton Rouge for Clemson–LSU: Freshman Bruce Morello missed both of his attempts in the opening week of the season and was awarded $0.
Week 2 in Austin for Ohio State–Texas: Freshman Connor Kacena-Merrell connected on his second attempt to win $1.2 million. Actor Matthew McConaughey and show host Kirk Herbstreit each pledged $100,000, bringing his winnings to $1.2 million.
Week 3 in Oxford for LSU–Ole Miss: Whitehead made his first attempt to claim the $1 million prize.
