Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida fans got a reminder of how important special teams are when they watched the Netflix documentary "Swamp Kings" chronicling the Gators under former head coach Urban Meyer.

The famous Jarvis Moss blocked field goal against Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team. The dynamic punt returns of tiny Brandon James. Meyer's Gators excelled on special teams, an area that has plagued the Gators more often than not since those glory years.

The trend continued in 2022 as the program welcomed Billy Napier to The Swamp, UF's fourth head coach in 12 seasons since Meyer's departure after the 2010 season.

Perhaps the most intriguing development a season ago was the emergence of little-known Adam Mihalek as the starting kicker. Mihalek joined the team in the spring of 2021 as a walk-on. Mihalek won the job over heralded incoming freshman Trey Smack and put together a solid season. Mihalek made 14 of 21 field goals, including three from 50-plus yards and nine of his last 12.

Mihalek and Smack return, with Mihalek projected to continue as the placekicker and Smack taking over the kickoff duties.

Kickers tend to be under the brightest spotlight on special teams, but for UF to head in the direction Napier envisions in 2023, the rest of the unit must produce once the lights come on the way the Gators did during their championship years.

IN THE MIX 
 

POS.	PLAYER	HT./WT.	YEAR	HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
K	Adam Mihalek	6-2 / 202	R-So.	Tampa / Wiregrass Ranch
K	Trey Smack	6-1 / 203	So.	Severna Park, Md. / Severna Park HS
P	Jeremy Crawshaw	6-3.75 / 197	Jr.	New South Wales, Australia / ProKick Australia
P	Jacob Watkins	6-1 / 204	R-Sr.	Gainesville / Valdosta (Ga.) State
P	Ara Emerzian	5-11.5 / 198	Fr.	Deerfield, Ill. / Deerfield HS
LS	Rocco Underwood	6-3 / 225	R-So.	Lake Mary / Lake Mary HS
LS	Gannon Burt	6-1 / 210	Fr.	Fort Mill, S.C. / Fort Mill HS
KOR	Jason Marshall Jr.	6-1 / 200	Jr.	Miami / Miami Palmetto HS
KOR	Montrell Johnson Jr.	5-11 / 215	Jr.	New Orleans / U of Louisiana
KOR	Eugene Wilson III	5-10 / 170	Fr.	Tampa / Gaither HS
KOR	Trevor Etienne	5-9 / 205	So.	Jennings, La. / Jennings HS
PR	Ricky Pearsall	6-1 / 190	Sr.	Chandler, Ariz. / Arizona State

BEST PLAYER
As far as the overall unit, punter Jeremy Crawshaw is the most accomplished on special teams. Crawshaw has averaged 45.7 yards per punt on 89 attempts over the last three seasons, providing the Gators with a veteran who can flip the field when called upon. Florida ranked fourth among FBS schools last season with a 43.4-yard net punting average. Crawshaw also brings a unique world view to the mix as a native of Australia. Crawshaw is personable, keeps the mood light and has a strong right leg to boot. Crawshaw punted 35 times a season ago, with 15 punts pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line and 13 traveling 50 or more yards. He was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List at the start of preseason camp, an honor given at the end of the season to the nation's top punter. Chas Henry (2010) is the only punter in UF history to win the award. NEWCOMER TO WATCH

While it remains uncertain of how the coaching staff will split the rotation at kickoff return, true freshman receiver Eugene Wilson III received work at the position in preseason camp and adds a shifty and dangerous option for the Gators. Wilson is small but quick, and if given room to run, flashed moves that could make him a threat in the kick-return game. Trevor Etienne is the leading kickoff returner back from last season. He averaged 24.8 yards on 20 returns as a true freshman.

FRESHMAN OF NOTE 
Wilson is the most prominent newcomer in the chart above, but when it comes to long snappers, freshman Gannon Burt arrives with sturdy credentials. Burt was a five-star recruit and the top long snapper in the country according to Rubio Long Snapping. He was an all-state selection at Fort Mill (S.C.) High and was an accomplished pole vaulter. Veteran Rocco Underwood is the starter, but should he lose his aim or get injured, the Gators have Burt to lean on.

ETC.  
The Gators used various players in the kick return game during camp, including tailbacks Montrell Johnson Jr. and Etienne. Florida averaged 21.7 yards per kickoff return in 2022, which ranked 34th nationally. The Gators were not as good in the punt-return game, ranking 59th at 8.2 yards per return. Starting receiver Ricky Pearsall heads into the season as the projected punt returner and has the tools necessary to make a difference at the position.

"QUOTE "
"I've always compared myself to NFL talent, because that's the ultimate goal. I watch [from] my first year I came in, how I've stacked up against other people, the other punters, and from there I progress to watching stuff like average, hang time, location and as these years have gone on, I think I've become comfortable with the rush, comfortable with the snaps, just comfortable reading different situations and knowing how to handle those. So this year has definitely been a big step up for me, consistency is very good, working on more location, outside the numbers every punt, directional, handling the snap, the pressure, everything like that. My goal is to always compare myself to the most elite in the NFL, because that's the goal, go to the NFL and be the best there." — Gators punter Jeremy Crawshaw on his approach

BOTTOM LINE
Special teams was not a strength for the Gators in head coach Billy Napier's first season. They were inconsistent and the return defense was especially vulnerable. Florida ranked 85th nationally in kickoff-return defense (21.4 yards) and 79th in punt-return defense (8.0). Meanwhile, the Gators blocked only one kick (a field goal) and surrendered four blocked kicks (three field goals, one punt). If the unit can improve, that could spark overall improvement coming off a 6-7 season.

IN CASE YOU MISSED ... 
*Unit Breakdown: Backfield
*Unit Beakdown: Receivers
*Unit Breakdown: Offensive line
*Unit Breakdown: Defensive line
*Unit Breakdown: JACK/Inside linebackers
*Unit Breakdown: Secondary