There is anonymity to being a punter on any football team, even at the largest of programs. You just look like every other guy on campus, you just happen to have a field position altering rocket launcher that attaches to your pelvic floor.
Florida’s punter is no different, Kyle Christy became arguably Florida’s most valuable offensive weapon at times last season. Whether that’s more of an indictment on Florida’s offense than high praise for Christy’s punting aptitude, I leave up to you to decide but statistics point to the latter of the two. Last season, Christy had the third most punts in the conference — 66 — but amassed more punting yards than any other specialist in the SEC. His 45.8 yard average per punt was also good for best in the SEC and fifth nationally.
This weapon blends in, rather than standing out. His roommate, however, does not blend in. He lives with quarterback Jeff Driskel, the level of fame afforded to Florida’s signal caller is something Christy experiences on a first hand basis.
“I’ve been with him a lot and everybody kind of always bugs him like, ‘Oh take a picture’ and all this stuff. It’s kind of cool, but I guess he’s probably used to that,” Christy said.
Christy is a bit soft spoken, airing on the quiet side. He knows there will be hype around him this year — as much as there can be around a punter on a football team — but he has a tunnel vision mentality.
“I try to ignore all the expectations and just get better every day and stay consistent and help the team,” Christy said.
That path to building that consistency may have hit a hiccup in the offseason when Christy sprained his shoulder after getting into a scooting accident. Christy says his head coach never lets him forget about it.
“Muschamp gives me crap about it,” Christy said. One thing Muschamp can’t give Christy crap about: his contribution to Florida’s special teams unit. Saturday, it won’t be a stretch to assume Florida will have a drive stall at some point. When it does, Christy will stand back, receive the long snap and Florida’s weapon will unleash his thigh cannon once more.