It’s the least talked about phase of the game, but it’s one that can turn a contest in a heartbeat. That of course, is special teams.
For Florida State in 2016, that was far from a strength. Freshman specialists had an up-and-down year, but the Seminoles struggled mightily when it came to fielding and covering punts.
It is worth noting that the Seminoles did do much better when it came to kickoffs. FSU also picked up a key upset in a rivalry game by blocking a potential tying extra point.
1. The Name to Know: Ricky Aguayo, K
The younger brother of former FSU Lou Groza Award winner Roberto Aguayo, Ricky Aguayo burst onto the scene last season. In his debut against Ole Miss, Aguayo set an FSU record for made field goals in a game, going a perfect 6-for-6 in a 45-34 win. From there on out however, consistency was nowhere to be found for Aguayo as he went just 13-for-20 the rest of the season and just 3-for-9 from beyond 40 yards.
Aguayo doesn’t quite have the leg that his brother did, but is accurate for the most part. The majority of Aguayo’s misses last season came in two games as he went 0-for-3 in a 37-35 loss to North Carolina and 1-for-3 in a 31-13 win over rival Florida.
2. Burning Question: Who Will Field Kicks and Punts?
With Kermit Whitfield and Jesus Wilson both having graduated, no one knows at this point who will return kicks or punts. Whitfield was a prolific kickoff returner during his time at FSU, but the biggest kickoff return of last season was FSU’s last as Keith Gavin went 66 yards to set up the Seminoles’ winning touchdown in a 33-32 Orange Bowl win over Michigan. Running back Ryan Green averaged better than 15 yards on four returns last season.
Wilson was off to a stellar start in the punt return game last season before suffering a midseason foot injury that ended his career. Nyqwan Murray was given the return duties from there on, but muffed punts in each of FSU’s final two games to set up opposing scores. Some names to watch this year when it comes to returning kicks and punts include Derwin James, Levonta Taylor, D.J. Matthews and Cam Akers on top of those mentioned.
3. Put Your Future Stock In: Logan Tyler, P
As a freshman last season, Logan Tyler finished just 11th in the ACC, averaging more than 40 yards per punt, but those totals should increase as a sophomore. Tyler has a huge leg and not only does he punt, but he kicks and is sometimes used as the long distance field goal kicker. Tyler was 1-for-2 on field goal attempts last season, but had the longest make of the year with a 53-yarder in a 45-7 win over Boston College.
Of Tyler’s 54 punts last year, 15 traveled at least 50 yards, which included a long of 57 yards. 11 of those punts were downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard-line. Only two went for touchbacks.
4. Other Names to Know: Stephen Gabbard, LS
Stephen Gabbard will be FSU’s long snapper for the fourth straight season. Long snappers tend not to get much praise, but when they’re not doing their job, people notice. No one has noticed with Gabbard. On top of the stellar snapping, Gabbard has four career tackles, including one last season.
5. Food For Thought
While Ricky Aguayo’s freshman season was not as great as some thought it might have been, his numbers were similar and actually a little bit better than Dustin Hopkins’ were as a freshman in 2009. Hopkins would go on to earn first-team All-American honors as a senior in 2012 and set the all-time record for points scored in FBS history.
Aguayo’s final kick of last season was an extra point that was blocked by Michigan and returned for two points. That ended an NCAA record streak for made extra points at 302. During brother Roberto Aguayo’s career, he never missed from under 40 yards. Ricky Aguayo has yet to either.
In last season’s home opener against Charleston Southern, Jesus Wilson returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown, becoming the first FSU player to do that since Tyler Hunter in 2012. FSU has not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since Kermit Whitfield did so against Auburn in the 2014 BCS National Championship.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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