After a lackluster season performance from a unit portrayed as a pride of Mike Norvell’s program, FSU took the offseason to overhaul its special teams department.
A complete restructuring of special teams was needed after multiple miscues in 2025, including game-losing back-to-back muffs in a loss to NC State last season.
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Adam Scheier, replacing John Papuchis, was hired from UNLV to try and get the unit back up to standard. The Revels led the Mountain West and ranked eighth nationally in blocked punts and had the conference’s third-best punt return defense in 2025, also being one of four teams in the country to have multiple players return a punt for a touchdown. He brought in new players at kicker, punter and long snapper, with the other part of his challenge being unlocking a return game that has faltered in recent years.
FSU position previews: Special teams
2025 lookback: Last year, the kicking game was a struggle, with FSU making just 63.2% of its field goal attempts. A weak kick return game also limited their ceiling, and the position group is hoping some new faces will turn things around.
Kicker
Main name to know
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Redshirt senior Gabe Panikowski: Transferred from Oklahoma State. Also played for Idaho State, Sacramento State and Riverside City College. Panikowski was the winner of the Fred Mitchell Award, which is given to the best non-FBS kicker in the nation. He was also ranked the eighth-best transfer kicker prospect by 247Sports.
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New faces
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Sophomore Conor McAneney: Suspended during spring camp after being arrested during spring camp, his charges were reduced to misdemeanors and he was reinstated to the team in April. McAneny transferred from Quincy University (Ill.), where he was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Special Teams Player of the Week and has also played Gaelic football.
Punter
Main name to know
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Redshirt junior Daniel Hughes: The Aussie who transferred from New Mexico is looking for a fresh start in Tallahassee after a productive time for the Lobos, where he was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist. Also played for the Northern Bullants (Australian Rules Football) and for the City College of San Francisco before transferring to New Mexico. He has three years of eligibility left, so if FSU can lock him down at the punter position, they might’ve found their guy.
Returning players
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Redshirt freshman Ethan Post: Five-star punter who played in the East Texas A&M and Kent State games, but only served as the holder. Will have the opportunity to learn more behind Hughes and Jula.
New faces
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Redshirt sophomore Carter Jula: Transferred from Nevada, followed special teams coordinator Adam Scheier. He has yet to make his collegiate appearance, but perhaps 2026 will be the year for him to do so.
Long snapper
Main name to know
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Redshirt senior Caleb Bowers: Transferred from North Dakota State, named an FCS All-American and first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2025. He is a national champion with NDSU, as well. While he’ll only be here for a year, Bowers has had a very respectable career in college football. He’ll look to go out with a bang with the Seminoles.
Returning players
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Redshirt freshman Alex Nocco: Five-star long snapper, played on the scout team in 2025.
Return specialist
Main name to know
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Redshirt junior Samuel Singleton Jr.: He’s served as one of FSU’s returners for the last two seasons, taking a kickoff back for a touchdown in 2024 but returning just two kickoffs in 2025. With FSU’s running back room full of depth and Danzy likely being avoided by kickers, the former FWAA Freshman All-American kick returner should have plenty of opportunity to make his presence felt in the return game.
Returning players
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Redshirt sophomore Micahi Danzy: One of FSU’s bright spots offensively last year, the best in the ACC in terms of yards per reception with 21.15. While he’s appeared as a returner, he hasn’t gotten the chance to field any kickoffs. With multiple options as a kickoff man available, might he get some run as a punt returner?
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Sophomore Jayvan Boggs: The wide receiver hasn’t been used as a returner yet in his short time in Tallahassee, but was getting time on special teams during the Seminoles’ spring camp.
New faces
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Jasen Lopez: Dual-sport phenom in both football and basketball; four-star wide receiver who caught 59 touchdowns in high school for Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.).
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Devin Carter: Another high-profile true freshman who should be getting reps on the offensive side of the ball, Carter also got some run on special teams during spring.
