Florida State Signs Top FCS Kicker Gabe Panikowski

Florida State football recently signed former Oklahoma State kicker Gabe Panikowski from the transfer portal. Panikowski has one year of eligibility remaining. 

While at Idaho St Panikowski won the Fred Mitchell Award which is given to the best non-FBS kicker. He was also named All-American during his time at Idaho St. 

Florida State and head coach Mike Norvell lost 35 players to the transfer portal after the 2025 season. Of the losses, two were kickers, including their primary kicker Jake Weinberg who transferred to rival Miami.

The other kicker signed by Mike Norvell this cycle was Connor McAneney from Quincy University.

Florida State also was weak in the kicking game in 2025 ranking at the bottom of the conference in field goal efficiency converting 12-of-19 field goals for 63.2%. The field goal unit contributed to the five-win season Florida State had in 2025. Norvell is on the hot seat with 17 losses over the last two seasons and converting field goals in 2026 can help him turn this thing around. 

Panikowski redshirted in 2025 while with Oklahoma St and did not get any kicking opportunities during the season. 

In 2024 Panikowski was a perfect 15-for-15 in field goal attempts, which was the most made field goals without a miss nationally. His 55-yard field goal against Northern Arizona was the longest in FCS that season, and the fourth longest in Idaho St history. He also averaged 63.7 yards per kick on 38 kickoffs while 23 kicks were touchbacks. He was twice named Big Sky Player of the Week.

In 2023 he started 13 games for Riverside Community College converting 15 of 21 field goals while hitting a 44-yarder.

While at Sacramento St in 2022 Panikowski was the starting kickoff kicker and averaged 62.7 yards per kick on 22 attempts.

Panikowski played his high school ball at Torrey Pines High School in 2021. He was named first-team All-North County, first-team All-League (as kicker/punter), and the Avocado League kicker of the year. In his high school career, he never missed a PAT and hit a 55-yard field goal during his junior season.

Panikowski competed in track, soccer, and fencing while at Torrey Pines High School.

Florida State started training camp on July 29 and Panikowski will be in prime position to compete for the starting kicker position. The season will begin on August 29 at home against New Mexico St. Florida State is currently a four-touchdown favorite in the game.