Freshmen talent ignites explosiveness. Expect thrilling returns as FSU's special teams unit transforms into a national threat, fueled by speed and savvy.
Florida State's special teams coordinator, Adam Scheier, is revitalizing the Seminoles' special teams unit and has loved the buy-in from his players throughout spring practice.
Scheier aims to turn Florida State's special teams unit into one of the best in the nation, something he has achieved at multiple schools before arriving in Tallahassee in January.
He's focused on shoring up the punt-return game with freshman receiver Jasen Lopez. Scheier said Lopez is a natural returner, and his confidence in him is far beyond what he expects out of a true freshman.
"He is probably as natural and as savvy and as calm a punt catcher and ball catcher as a wide receiver that I've been around in a long time," Scheier said. "So, I continue to grow confidence in him."
Florida State recorded zero punt- or kick-return touchdowns last season, and in Scheier's time coaching special teams, his units have returned kickoffs or punts for a touchdown.
UNLV had two punt-return touchdowns last season; Rutgers and Temple also had a punt returned for touchdown when Scheier coached for those programs.
Alongside Lopez, running back Samuel Singleton Jr. and receiver Micah Danzy are participating in returning kickoffs and punts during spring practice. Scheier noted that Singleton and Danzy possess different skills that make them complementary options, and they'll have blockers opening up gaps to utilize their abilities.
"Singleton's got elite vision and change of direction," Scheier said. "Danzy's got world-class speed. And as I mentioned, I think the guys that we have in front blocking for them are bought in, tough, physical and can make that a real weapon for us."
Singleton has the most return experience of the trio and returned two kickoffs for 33 yards last season. The Seminoles averaged 21.2 yards per kick return (for seventh in the ACC) and 11.6 yards per punt return (fifth in ACC) last season.
Scheier said he was impressed by the overall buy-in of all the position groups in special teams.
"I think on every team I've been on, you've always had that linebacker crew, those DBs that are involved," Scheier said. "But how much can you take off of their plate because you got really good athletic tight ends, you got really fast physical running backs, and you got wideouts."
Throughout Florida State's spring practices, there has been an emphasis on special teams development, signifying it's a key to the team's success next season.
The Seminoles are embracing a "next kick" mentality under Scheier to battle through bad kicks and snaps throughout the year.
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