Mark my words: Florida special teams will be a top 25 unit in SP+ by the end of the 2026 season and it's going to be the difference in at least two SEC games nobody expects them to win. The Gators ranked 67th in special teams efficiency last year and that's just unacceptable for a program that used to hang its hat on that phase under Urban Meyer. You look at the numbers and it's clear the issue was never talent, it was scheme and coaching. Florida gave up a blocked punt against Tennessee that directly cost them the game. The punt return coverage unit ranked 94th in yards allowed per return. That's not a talent problem, that's a technique and discipline problem.
The new staff has completely restructured how they approach the kicking game during spring ball from what I've heard around the program. They're running five periods of special teams work every single practice instead of just tacking it on at the end. The field goal operation was a mess last season with two kicks blocked inside the 40 yard line and that's just basic protection stuff that should have been fixed in August. Florida's net punting average was 37.8 yards which ranked 81st nationally and that's with a punter who has a big leg. Something was fundamentally broken in how they were covering kicks and getting the ball off cleanly.
The kickoff return unit was actually solid at 22.4 yards per return which ranked 32nd but they only broke one return past the 40 yard line all season. That tells you the blocking scheme was generating consistent but not explosive results. You watch the film and it's obvious the returners were making the first guy miss but then running into a wall because the second level blocks weren't holding up. Florida has athletes in the return game who can take it to the house if the scheme puts them in position. The Gators averaged 4.3 yards per punt return which was 87th in the country. That's almost impossible with the speed on this roster unless the blocking is just not there.