Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
July 11th 2026
About the Event
• Top Kicker in America showcase is an invitational event only for kickers and punters who show potential to kick in college.
• This is a mid-sized showcase that allows us to thoroughly evaluate everyone and create a video of their performance.
• Athletes get filmed, evaluated and charted. This is a sample VIDEO of Kai Kroeger from the event prior to his junior year of high school. Kai is a punter for Houston Texans (as of March ’26). He attended South Carolina University.
• Statistics and videos from this event are sent to colleges. Individual referrals and references to specific schools are available by request of athletes or universities. Professional evaluation from this event is useful for small and big college prospects. Coach Filipovic has almost 30 years of experience in the world of kicking with countless connections at all levels and a reputation as a very honest and knowledgeable evaluator of potential and prospect value.
• Athletes have an opportunity to learn from, interact and socialize in a relaxed small group setting with highly accomplished staff consisting of current and former NFL and college specialists.
Who can attend this event?
• Athletes who stood out at one of The Kicking Coach camps or another reputable showcase and received a personal invitation from coach Filipovic.
• We invite athletes who have 50+ yard range on field goals off the ground, can hit kickoffs 60+ yards, and/or average over 40 yards per punt from the line of scrimmage in a practice setting. In addition to kicking strength requirements, we also expect athletes to have polished enough mechanics that will attract college interest.
• If you have not been invited but would like to attend, email coach Filipovic your accomplishments and any game or training video links to [email protected]
Event Alumni and Videos
Austin Seibert
#1 high school kicker in the nation (2015), Top Kicker In America Alum (July 2014). Drafted by Browns in 2019. Bengals, Lions, Commanders. “I first started working with Filip (The Kicking Coach) when I was 14 years old. Filip was the first coach I received instruction from and he has helped me since the beginning. His ability to engage and apply his coaching is what sets him apart. Along with this, Filip is honest and doesn’t sugar coat anything. He stands by work ethic and doing things the right way. He has helped me get to where I am today and the journey has been incredible!”
Staff
Filip Filipovic and Assistant Coaches with NFL or big time college experience.
Staff will be finalized as we get closer to the event. These are some of the coaches at the event over the years:
• Greg Zuerlein, NFL (pro bowl)
• Kai Kroeger, NFL
• Riley Patterson, NFL
• Austin Seibert, NFL
• Zoltan Mesko, NFL
• Hunter Niswander, NFL
• Brad Robbins, NFL
• James McCourt, NFL
• Billy Cundiff, NFL (pro bowl)
• Derek Dimke, NFL
• Ryan Donahue, NFL
• Austin Signor, NFL
• College specialists from Northwestern, Michigan State, Michigan, Colgate,
South Dakota, Ball State, Illinois, Northern Illinois, Buffalo, South Carolina.
Location
• Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois
• Lake Forest College is located 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. Campus is tucked into winding wooded roads next to Lake Michigan. Chicago Bears hosted their training camps at this stadium from 1975 to 1983. It is a beautiful and serene setting for this invitational event.
Charting Format
FIELD GOALS
• Athletes will attempt 12 field goals. Distances are from 35, 40, 45, and 50 from left hash mark and right hash mark. Also 40, 45, 50, and 52-yard field goals from the middle.
• In the second, mini-charting session, kickers will attempt 6 kicks from the middle of the field from distances 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 53
• Class of 2027 and older kickers have to kick field goals off the ground. Class of 2028 and 2029 kickers are welcome to use a 1 inch or 1/2 inch block if needed.
• Athletes who make at least 12 out of 18 field goals will earn bonus kicks from 55, 58 and 61 yards out.
KICKOFFS
• Kickers will attempt 6 kickoffs. We will calculate the average of top 4 kicks.
PUNTING
• Punters will kick 16 punts – 8 in each direction. They will receive an underhand toss from a coach standing 8 yards in front of them. We will average out top 12 punts (6 from each direction).
• We will not measure handling time (catch to kick). But it is recommended that punters move at 1.4 to 1.6 second speed.
• In the second, mini-charting session, punters will kick 5 punts (we will eliminate the worst punt)
EVENT COMPETITIONS
• Last man standing field goal competition
• Last man standing punting competition
• Thread the needle field goal competition
SKILL WORK
• Athletes will get to work with coaches in a small group setting to fine tune their skills
Cost: $350
Included in cost:
• Charting, coaching, college referrals.
• Event video; 1 to 2 minute highlight video consisting of best kicks from the event and short professional reference by coach Filipovic.
• Top Kicker in America Under Armour T-shirt.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, you are entitled to full refund up until June 30th. After June 30th, you are welcome to transfer your payment toward any future The Kicking Coach event.
*PLEASE REGISTER WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF RECEIVING THE INVITATION.
