How Florida football special teams graded out in 2026, led by Trey Smack
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Special teams for Florida football produced one impact play during the 2025 season.
That came when the Florida Gators upset No. 9 Texas on Oct. 4 on a blocked punt by receiver Taylor Spierto that rolled out of the end zone for a safety. The two points helped UF provide enough cushion to hold off a late Texas charge and beat the Longhorns 29-21 at The Swamp.
But there was a special teams gaffe that proved costly as well, when long snapper Rocco Underwood snapped the ball over the head of punter Tommy Doman that resulted in a safety for USF. The two points turned out to be the margin in Florida's 18-16 loss to the Bulls on Sept. 6.
Overall, UF's special teams play was solid, but not spectacular. Kicker Trey Smack was a weapon but there were still instances when Florida lined up too many or not enough on the field on punt or field goal block and protection units
Here's how UF's special teams graded out for the 2025 season:
Another return specialist emerges for Florida football
With Chimere Dike declaring for the NFL Draft, Florida found as impactful a replacement in true freshman Vernell Brown III. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Brown averaged 12.7 yards per return with a long of 40 yards. Brown also averaged 17.4 yards per return on kickoffs with a long of 26 yards.
Florida is still seeking its first return for a touchdown since Kadarius Toney returned a punt 50 yards for a TD on Nov. 28, 2020, against Kentucky.
An inconsistent season for Florida football punter Tommy Doman
A transfer from Michigan, Doman boomed four punts of 60 yards or more, including a 71-yard punt against Florida State. But Doman also averaged just 27.7 yards per punt in UF's 38-7 loss at Kentucky and 39.0 yards per punt in UF's 31-11 loss to Tennessee.
For the season, Doman averaged 44.0 yards per punt, with 17 of his 50 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Florida football special teams MVP
Trey Smack, K: Smack went 18 of 22 on field goal attempts for the season, including 10 of 12 on attempts of 40 yards or longer and 5 of 6 on attempts of 50 yards or longer. He also forced touchbacks on 46 of his 60 kickoffs. Smack finished his UF career by connecting on 10 field goals of 50 yards or longer, which stands as a UF record.
Florida football special teams grade: B
Florida played solid special teams in its last season under special teams coordinator Joe Houston, who will remain in the SEC as LSU's new special teams coach under Lane Kiffin. New Florida coach Jon Sumrall said he intends to take a more active role in special teams and is bringing former Tulane special teams coordinator Johnathan Galante with him. Under Galante, Tulane kicker Patrick Durkin and Tulane punter Alec Clark earned All-American Conference honors. Both have eligibility remaining and could wind up following Galante to UF.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: How Florida football special teams graded out for 2025
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos