Florida Gators post spring two deep: Specialists

Ah, the specialists, oft forgotten until a blocked punt or missed field goal, they do have a place on the team.

Head coach Jim McElwain appeared irreverent as camera caught hit telling Austin Hardin, “You see those goal posts? There’s like these two things that go up and then see how there’s that thing on the bottom? See how that works? Just kick it in-between them.”

McElwain went on to blast the kicker after Hardin wasn’t able to consistently drive the ball into or through the end zone on kickoffs. “I was hoping that we had a kicker that could just bang it through the end zone,” he said. “For whatever reason, we couldn’t.”

With returners at every special teams position, the Gators should have an improved special teams unit that can hopefully bring some electricity back to The Swamp as well as, you know, kick the ball through those goalpost things.

Placekicker:
Starter: Austin Hardin
Backup: Jorge Powell

Coming to Florida, Hardin was recognized as one of the best kickers in the country. He sat a year as Caleb Sturgis kicked his way into your hearts and into the University of Florida record books. Hardin has been anything but consistent during his career, holding an 11-22 mark on field goals.

To Hardin’s credit, he’s had to deal with several special teams coordinators who have either tried to change his approach and kicking motion, or were completely ignorant to the finer points of kicking an oddly shaped ball through the uprights. Kicking — like a golf swing — is very technical, down to the step and confidence plays a huge part in the mental aspect.

Hardin also split time with Frankie Velez the past two seasons, handling the longer kicks. Those lower percentage attempts led to misses, only hurting Hardin’s confidence further.

With the starting job locked up — for now — Hardin should be able to finally kick with confidence.

The Gators added Jorge Powell as a walk on prior to last season. Powell took a redshirt and didn’t see any game action. He kicked well but is still behind Hardin on the depth chart by a good margin.

 

Johnny Townsend, Orange and Blue Debut, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, University of Florida, Florida Gators
Redshirt sophomore Johnny Townsend punts during the 2015 Orange and Blue Debut. / Gator Country photo by David Bowie

Punter:
Starter: Johnny Townsend
Backup: N/A

Townsend is the only punter listed on Florida’s roster and he’s their lone option for when the offense stalls.

It’s a good option for the Gators.

Townsend planned on taking a redshirt his first season as Kyle Christy finished off his eligibility but was forced into action. He averaged 41.97 yards on his 29 punts.

Townsend, much like Christy, has a high, booming trajectory on his kicks and Florida doesn’t expect much of a drop-off, if any, from what they got from Christy in the past.

 

Punt returner:
Starter: Demarcus Robinson
Backup: Brandon Powell / Vernon Hargreaves

 

Robinson provides the spark in this group but doesn’t have the trust of the coaching staff when punts are coming into the red zone. Like last season, Vernon Hargreaves will likely handle the punt return duties when Florida is going to be fielding punts inside their own 20, as Hargreaves has great hands, and can make the right call between a fair catch and letting a ball hit the ground.

However, Robinson and Powell both are electric with the ball in their hands a both are a threat to take it to the house at any time.

 

Kick return:
Starter: Demarcus Robinson
Backup: Brandon Powell

Robinson will be the go-to guy on kickoffs. Redshirt freshman JC Jackson would have figured into the mix here and returning punts as well but his status with the team is currently up in the air.

As stated before, both Robinson and Powell give the Gators a chance to score on special teams and that’s really all you can ask for.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC