Game Changers: The Florida Special Teams Look Like An Upgrade

While Napier has made many changes within the Florida program, a key member of his “army” of people will be 'Game Changer Coordinator' Chris Couch.

By LOREN MEADOWS

GatorBait Football Analyst

In 2021, the Florida Gator special teams left a lot to be desired. Lackadaisical effort and a lack of attention contributed to the issues that seemed to get worse as the season progressed.

Florida lost all but one of the games that were decided by one score or less last season. In most of those games, one could identify special team breakdowns that ultimately cost the Gators the victory. From kick coverage units to field goals, the Gators seemed to lack the mental focus and physical attributes that can make a stellar special teams unit.

In 2021, the Gators ranked 100 of 130 teams in kickoff returns, 110 of 130 in kickoff return defense, 77 of 130 in punt returns and 88 of 130 in punt return defense. While many could point to questionable play calls on both sides of the ball and sporadic quarterback play, the sub- par performances of four key units clearly attributed to the woes of 2021.

Many coaches have stated the “special teams are special,” so special that teams have used the performance of individuals on these units to determine playing time for younger players at other positions -- as well as movement up or down the offensive or defensive depth chart. Frank Beamer, the legendary Virginia Tech Coach, seen by many as the father of modern special teams’ design, was notorious for benching starting players who did not treat their assignments on special teams as “special” as they should have.

Enter Billy Napier and the 2022 Florida Gators “Game Changer” unit. While Napier has made many changes within the Florida program a key member of his “army” of people will be “Game Changer Coordinator” Chris Couch, who followed Napier from Louisiana where he served as special teams coordinator and director of quality control and analytics.

As Game Changer coordinator, Couch will look to breathe life into the Florida special teams and replicate the success this unit had at Louisiana. In 2021, Louisiana ranked ninth in net punting, tenth in blocked kicks, 15th in punting average and 17th nationally in kickoff return defense nationally.

While it is unseen how the Florida Gators will look on special teams, it is clear the importance of this unit will be the key to success every year. Look for the Gators to be extremely aggressive with their kick and punt units and utilize some creativity to gain an advantage over opponents during key points of the game.

Pros and Cons of the Special Teams

Pros

It Can Only Get Better--While Greg Knox was a long-trusted assistant of Dan Mullen, his time as special teams coordinator at Florida was underwhelming. Punt returns were glaringly underutilized during Mullen’s tenure with talented returners told to “only” fair catch the ball. Special team mishaps hampered the Gators in losses to Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, and a win against woeful FCS foe Samford. Numbers tell the story of a unit that only hampered the Gators in 2021. With increased scrutiny of opponent tendencies and a commitment to sound play one could expect this unit to take a huge leap forward. Naming the special teams, the “Game Changers” shows an all-out commitment to this often ignored but prominent phase of the game.

Creativity--An assistant solely dedicated to the structure and development of this unit will allow for several plans and ideas to be explored. Look for the Gators “Game Changers” to utilize creativity and represent the opposite of the special teams under Dan Mullen. It would not be surprising to see reverses on kicks, creative fake punts and punt blocks to level the playing field in 2022.

Personnel Depth--Florida returns several players who have spent a lot of time on special teams. Projected starters such as Trey Dean III, Rashad Torrence, Justin Shorter and Trent Whittemore have all contributed to the unit. Florida also has the versatility of special teams’ returnees Derek Wingo, Diwun Black, Lorenzo Lingard, Lloyd Summerall III and Kamar Wilcoxson. While they could possibly also contribute offensively and defensively, look for them to remain key parts of Florida’s special teams.

Punting--While the coverage teams were inconsistent at times, Florida returns on of the nation’s best punters in sophomore Jeremy Crawshaw. Crawshaw punted 52 times for a 44.10-yard average to ranked 31st nationally. He also possesses enough athletic ability to be a factor in creative fakes if Florida chooses to utilize them. The utilization of “rugby style” punting by Napier in the past as well as numbers that suggest success in punt coverage. Look for Florida to be vastly improved in this area.

JEREMY CRAWSHAW is back as rugby kicker.

Cons

Who’s the Kicker? -- Chris Howard transferred after spring practice so it would seem the job would fall to incoming freshman Trey Smack, a highly ranked kicker and punter from Severna Park, MD, who is a tall slender prospect with a huge leg. Smack is also athletic, having spent time at linebacker, defensive back and tight end in high school. However, Smack will be new to the raucous environment of the SEC and has only been kicking since 2019. Will Smack overcome possible nerves and give the Gators the consistency they sorely missed in 2021?

Return Game--Xzavier Henderson averaged 6.8 yards on 24 punt returns, while only returning two kickoffs for a 13-yard average. Florida saw little success in this department in 2021 and the departures of both Fenley Graham and Demarkcus Bowman have the Gators looking for an answer at both punt and kickoff return. Xzavier Henderson will catch it but has not shown the explosiveness or elusiveness to flip the field in the game’s crucial moments. Gone is 22.8-yard average from Malik Davis, so Florida will be looking for options in the kickoff return game from fall camps first few days.

Depth--While any team would struggle if their top kicker or punter was lost to injury, the fact that special teams has been so enigmatic over the past year makes the health of both Crawshaw and Smack important.

Possible Game Changers

Jeremy Crawshaw, Punter--Named to the 2021 All-SEC Freshman Team, Crawshaw had 20 50-yard plus punts as well as 20 punts inside the 20. With a long of 69 yards, the future NFL punter will be a valuable weapon as the Gators look to establish the run game and control field position.

Trey is Smack dab in the middle of kicking game

Trey Smack, Kicker--A top 10 kicking prospect Smack can be seen on video consistently converting 45–55-yard kicks from a tee. Time will tell if this translates to game time performance, but Smack exudes confidence and is happy to be a Gator.

Diwun Black, Linebacker--Black has the athletic skills to impact the game in many ways. Could he become the next outstanding punt blocker for the Gators -- as they will surely be more aggressive when their opponent is punting.

Xzavier Henderson, Wide Receiver--While his numbers are not impressive, could improved schematics allow this long strider with top end speed to get going and become a true “game changer?”

Ricky Pearsall, Wide Receiver--Pearsall has only returned one kickoff and returned no punts in three years at Arizona State. However, Anthony Richardson remarked how fast Pearsall was during SEC Media Days so he could become a factor in the return game.

No matter who the players are, look for Florida to be much improved on special teams-- particularly in its coverage units. Billy Napier has a history of pressing the gas late in the half so points from field goals could be a boost as well. The attention to detail and single-minded focus of Chris Couch could have this unit as one of the most improved in the SEC.