What could be one of the most talented units on the Seminoles squad, special teams' could be more of an asset and less of a liability this season.
As fall camp continues for Florida State, the special teams’ unit has taken shape and will be a talented position group. At the end of practice on Thursday, special teams’ coordinator Adam Scheier spoke about this group and what they bring to the team.
Kicker Gabe Panikowski will handle the field goal duties.
“Been very pleased with Gabe since he stepped on campus," Scheier said. "Just his approach, and how consistent and smooth he is as a field goal kicker. And that showed up through spring, through fall camp here. Now it's nice to see him go four-for-four today from outside of 45 [yards]. And then do a 50-yarder as well. I think a 53-yarder after that."
Panikowski transferred in from Oklahoma State, where he inexplicably did not see any game action for the Cowboys. That is significant when you consider the season that he had at Idaho State in 2024:
- Fred Mitchell Award winner, presented to the nation’s best non-FBS kicker.
- First-team FCS All-America (AFCA, Walter Camp, Sports Illustrated).
- Second-team FCS All-America by the Associated Press (AP).
- First-Team All-Big Sky Conference
- 15-of-15 on field goal, nine of which were from 30-39 yards.
- 44-of-47 on PAT’s.
- 55-yard field goal vs. Northern Arizona (fourth longest in school history).
- Averaged 63.7 yards on kickoffs.
On one kick off in practice by Panikowski, the football sailed 2-3 yards deep into the end zone with a hang time of 4.132 seconds. Conor McAneney will handle the kick offs, but obviously Panikowski could handle those duties as well, if needed.
Punting the football for the Seminoles will be Daniel Hughes.
"I played against him last year when I was at UNLV," Scheier said. "He was at New Mexico, so I watched his stuff, and he's a very talented punter. We will make an emphasis of attacking that unit as an opportunity to flip the field, because our job at the end of the day is to play great defense, and the way you do that is you move the ball as far down the field as you possibly can, give your defense as long a field to defend as possible, and I think it'll carry over."
Hughes averaged 45.44 yards per punt last season for a 9-4 New Mexico team. In six games last season, Hughes punted less than three times in the game.
Snapping the ball on punts and kicks will be long-snapper Caleb Bowers.
"Very steady. Veteran presence," Scheier said. "Accurate with his snaps - times are good. The ability to protect both punt and field goal has been there. And just a good leader, good mentor to our younger long snappers, to our group as well."
Bowers comes to Florida State from FCS-powerhouse North Dakota State. He appeared in 44 straight games for the Bison, who won an FCS national title in 2024. Last season, Bowers was named first-team FCS All America and first-team All-MVFC. During his career at North Dakota State, the Bison posted a 49-10 record.
The consensus among all coaches is that Sam Singleton and Micahi Danzy will be the primary kick returners.
"I think we've got two of the best returners in the country,” Scheier said. “We've got good middle skill to block them for them up front, and the guys are understanding the schematics and understanding the fundamentals its gonna take to block for those guys, and again, they're dangerous with the ball in their hands, so we're excited."
Singleton averaged 16.50 yards per kickoff return last season for Florida State. Danzy, with his elite track speed, is a threat to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. Last season, the Seminoles ranked among the top 30 in the FBS in kickoff returns, as they averaged 21.2 yards per return. These two could make an immediate impact in the return game.
Freshman Jasen Lopez has made his presence felt as a receiver and will do so as the punt returner for the Seminoles.
"Jasen Lopez has shown the ability, confidence, moxie for a true freshman to be the guy,” Scheier said.
If Lopez cannot go, then a host of other players can step up and make a play, including Jayvan Boggs, Duce Robinson, Devin Carter, and Ja’bril Rawls.
Florida State has the talent to make an impact and win football games. We will see if the Seminoles can shake off that rust, since they have lost 17 of their last 24 games. Seven wins over the last two seasons is the fewest at Florida State since 1974-75. It has been 52 years since that kind of futility has reared its ugly head in Tallahassee.
But there are plenty of opportunities to exceed expectations up and down the gauntlet of a schedule that the Seminoles will face this season. The sacrifice, the sweat, the buy-in, and the learning from fall camp will all come to fruition on August 29 when Florida State hosts New Mexico State.
