Three Questions About the Florida Gators Specialists Entering 2022

Picture: Jeremy Crawshaw; Credit score: Alex Shepherd 

With spring soccer squarely within the rearview mirror, and never a lot occurring within the realm of school sports activities, AllGators has determined to take a stab at going over numerous place teams for the Florida Gators and the three urgent questions for every room.

After masking all main positions on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, we spherical out the sequence by taking a deep dive into the specialists unit for the 2022 model of this system.

Present process immense turnover following a season to neglect in 2021 from the unit as a complete, the proclaimed “game-changers” led by coordinator Chris Sofa shall be an intriguing group to observe within the early going of the Billy Napier regime.

AllGators’ three questions by place sequence

Who will assume place kicking duties?

The departure of Evan McPherson following the 2020 season left a big gap within the Gators specialists unit that was evident a season in the past.

Using the likes of Chris Howard and Jace Christmann in rotation, Florida mixed to make simply 67% of its 15 discipline purpose makes an attempt on the yr and noticed the variety of missed further factors McPherson had in his whole collegiate profession surpassed between the 2.

The inconsistency and lack of leg energy took its toll on the Gators’ season, particularly by means of a missed further level towards Alabama that will finally be a difference-maker between Florida dropping in regulation versus having an try to steal an enormous victory over the Crimson Tide in time beyond regulation.

Now, with each Howard and Christmann each leaving UF, a brand new face is ready to imagine the position of placekicker heading into the longer term.

Whereas there is not an abundance of choices, two have set themselves as much as battle for the beginning spot for the autumn.

First, and certain the one who has the higher hand on account of his placement on scholarship, is true freshman kicker Trey Smack.

His competitors is former most well-liked walk-on Adam Mihalek, who confirmed vital promise through the alternative he acquired within the staff’s spring sport. Knocking by means of a number of long-range kicks from 52 and 49 yards out, Mihalek displayed fascinating accuracy and pop off his foot within the place kicking division.

Nevertheless, he struggled on his kickoff makes an attempt, displaying that he’s restricted to simply place kicking if the Gators wish to make the most of him, giving Smack the higher hand if he can do each successfully.

Will the return sport’s productiveness re-emerge underneath new management?

A much-maligned facet of an already poorly performing staff final season was the lackluster return unit Florida trotted out onto the sector a season in the past.

Characterised by mishaps alongside the purpose line, unsolicited return makes an attempt and, frankly, the improper personnel in spots to return kicks, the group was a detriment to Florida’s success.

Entrusting working again Malik Davis and extensive receivers Xzavier Henderson to return kicks, with an occasional look from extensive receiver Ja’Markis Weston, Florida totaled simply over 13 yards per return on common and didn’t report a rating.

Davis recorded the staff’s longest return of simply 33 yards.

Likewise, Henderson was the first handler of punt return duties. In 23 makes an attempt, he compiled simply seven yards per try with a protracted of simply 33.

Throughout the board, the return unit left a lot to be desired in 2022.

As they give the impression of being to introduce new faces into the fold in an try to discover a spark, particularly the likes of Demarkcus Bowman and the person who was recruited closely to be a return sport specialist in Fenley Graham, the Gators hope they will discover a spark much-needed spark within the third part of the sport.

Will Sofa get extra manufacturing out of the sport changers than former particular groups coordinator Greg Knox was in a position to? Or are the Gators in for one more yr of mediocrity at greatest within the return sport?

Can punter Jeremy Crawshaw present consistency?

The drastic turnover and hope for enchancment are the robust storylines for the particular groups unit heading into 2022. Nevertheless, the Gators do have the luxurious of continuity in one of many main areas within the type of punter Jeremy Crawshaw.

Exhibiting flashes of elite leg power to bomb balls downfield at factors final season, Crawshaw has the potential to be a weapon for the Gators.

However, can he be that every time he steps on the sector?

A season in the past, the Australian native was a vibrant spot for Florida’s particular groups unit. Averaging 44.1 yards per punt on 52 makes an attempt, his capacity to ship opposing groups on their heels was evident at factors.

Nevertheless, simply as he would get off 60-plus-yard bombs — his career-high coming towards Vanderbilt with a 69-yarder — the Sydney product struggled with mis-hits.

The volatility of his sport was encapsulated in Florida’s upsetting loss to Missouri in time beyond regulation on the street, the place he paired a 67-yard punt and a 54-yard punt with an 11-yarder, a 29-yarder and a 31-yarder.

His increase or bust nature shall be an space the brand new Florida workers seems to drastically enhance this offseason to make sure they get performances matching the numbers of the previous extra typically.

Using an offense that may lean towards a power-rushing sport that’s designed to put on down opponents and wind down the sport clock, Florida will hope they will depend on their punter — though sparingly — to flip the sector when their dashing assault will get stymied persistently.

If they will, your entire unit, offense and protection, will reap the advantages of Crawshaw’s work.

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