After having to replace an improved Cason Beatty and one of college football’s best kickers ever in Roberto Aguayo last season, Florida State returns all three of its special teamers this season. The kicking specialists include kicker Ricky Aguayo, Roberto’s younger brother, and punter Logan Tyler. The other is long snapper Stephen Gabbard.
While the ACC looks to be rich with defensive talent in 2017, there’s no shortage of outstanding kickers and punters. Here’s a look at the five best specialists that FSU will face for the 2017 season:
1. Eddy Pineiro, Florida (K)
2016 Stats: 21-for-25 field goals, long 54, 32-for-32 PATs
Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro was outstanding as a freshman a season ago, showing off his big leg, which also turned out to be pretty accurate. Pineiro made 84 percent of his field goals as a freshman and all of his extra points. Pineiro was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals of at least 50 yards. He was 2-for-2 in last season’s loss to FSU. The teams meet this year on Nov. 26.
2. Johnny Townsend, Florida (P)
2016 Stats: 64 punts, 47.9 yards per punt
Johnny Townsend will again give Florida a big advantage when it comes to field position. Townsend averaged nearly 48 yards a boot last season with 29 of his 64 punts traveling at least 50. Townsend averaged better than 46 yards per punt on six punts with a long of 55 against FSU last season.
3. Michael Badgley, Miami (K)
2016 Stats: 21-for-26 field goals, long 51, 53-for-55 PATs
Now a senior, Michael Badgley has been a model of consistency for Miami during his time in Coral Gables. Badgley has made better than 80 percent of his field goal attempts for his career and is a perfect 21-for-21 on kicks of between 40 and 49 yards. Badgley was 2-for-2 against FSU last season with a make from 51 yards, but unfortunately had his streak of 72 straight PATs made ended to decide the game. FSU and Miami meet in Tallahassee for the ACC opener on Sept. 16.
4. J.K. Scott, Alabama (P)
2016 Stats: 64 punts, 47.2 yards per punt
With all the talent that Alabama has, punter J.K. Scott is a valuable piece that often gets overlooked. As a junior last season, the 6-6 punter averaged better than 47 yards per punt and had 29 punts of at least 50 yards and 25 downed inside the 20-yard-line. He’ll look to keep FSU pinned deep when the teams meet in Atlanta on Sept. 2.
5. Mike Weaver, Wake Forest (K)
2016 Stats: 21-for-27 field goals, long 46, 28-for-28 PATs
With Wake Forest’s struggles getting the ball into the end zone, Mike Weaver has proven to be a valuable piece to have. Weaver overcame a down year in 2015 to turn into a solid kicker for the Demon Deacons. For the year, Weaver was 6-for-11 on kicks of at least 40 yards and missed just once from inside 40. Weaver was 2-for-3 with makes of 34 and 29 yards against the Seminoles last season in Tallahassee. The teams meet this year on Sept. 30 in Winston-Salem.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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