Five Numbers that Must Improve for 2015 FSU Football

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

19.82

This was Florida State’s average kickoff return yardage last year, and it was good — or, rather, poor — enough to come in at 88th out of 128 FBS schools. Now, FSU was ranked much lower in some of the numbers to come, but the real disappointment here derives from the phenomenal success the Seminoles’ kick return unit experienced in 2013. In FSU’s title season, it averaged 28.16 YPR, tops in the nation. The ‘Noles also found the end zone twice in the 2013 season, and not at all this past year ( by comparison, UAB returned four kicks for touchdowns this year– and that program has been disbanded).

This massive shift, that saw the Seminoles fall from first to ninth in the 14-team ACC in this category, is somewhat of a mystery, since FSU used the same return man, speedster Levonte “Kermit” Whitfield, each year. Look for him to resume his return duties again this year, and attempt to recreate some of the 2013 magic.