Is nobody going to talk about what Florida Gators special teams actually looked like last season versus what the raw stats say? Because the Gators finished 2025 ranked 67th in net punting average at 38.4 yards per attempt and that number alone tells you the field position battle was a constant uphill climb. The kickoff coverage unit allowed 22.1 yards per return which put them in the bottom half of the SEC and that's before you even get to the placekicking situation where the Gators connected on just 73 percent of field goal attempts inside 40 yards. That is unacceptable for a program that expects to compete in the SEC East.
The punt return game generated exactly zero touchdowns last season and averaged under 7 yards per return. Meanwhile the Gators gave up a punt return touchdown and two kickoff returns for scores in conference play alone. The special teams coordinator has to answer for why the coverage units consistently lost contain on the perimeter and why the return game never provided any explosive plays to flip the field. Florida ranked 102nd nationally in special teams SP+ last season and that is the kind of number that loses you two games a year in a nine game SEC schedule.
The question is whether the coaching staff has actually addressed the structural issues or if they are just hoping the same personnel magically improves. The Gators brought in a new special teams analyst this offseason but the fundamental problem might be scheme related. When you watch the tape the punt protection unit gave up four blocks last season and the kickoff coverage lanes were consistently over-pursuing to the ball side leaving the backside open for cutback returns. That is coaching not talent.
If Florida wants to take the next step in 2026 the special teams have to go from a liability to at least average. The Gators cannot afford to lose the hidden yardage battle by 40 yards per game again and expect to win close games in the Swamp. The margin for error in this conference is too thin.