McAfee's Kicking Contest Returns with Big Payouts and New Sponsor
Pat McAfee's revamped kicking contest on ESPN's College GameDay had its first winner of the 2026 season under the new payout format. Connor Kecena-Merrell, a freshman at Texas, won $1.2 million after making his second attempt at a 33-yard field goal in Austin.
New this year, Home Depot is matching the prize money McAfee offers each week, which has increased to over $6 million from the contest's first three seasons. Before the kick, Kecena-Merrell said he wanted to donate half of his winnings to Indianapolis-based nonprofit Building Tomorrow if he made it.
The kicking contest seemed uncertain at the end of last season when McAfee joked that it might be the final year. However, ESPN host Rece Davis expressed hope for its return, saying 'We love it, it's just tremendous.'