FSU Football: 5 biggest concerns going into 2017 season
By Kelvin Hunt
Special Teams
The FSU special teams were abysmal last season and need to improve drastically in 2017. It was expected to be inconsistent with a true freshmen kicker and punter. Ricky Aguayo missed a few kicks he was expected to make even for a true freshman and Logan Tyler simply needs more hang time on his punts.
The worst part of special teams were punt returning and punt return defense by far. FSU football has lacked a punt return game for half a decade, and it was non-existent last season, especially in conference play.
Punt return defense coincides with the punting hang time. It’s difficult for the gunners to get downfield to cover a punt when they aren’t given time to get down there which says a lot considering the athletes FSU has on special teams.
Kickoff return and kickoff return defense has been pretty good though. It looks like Tarvarus McFadden will get his chance to shine as the primary punt returner. Derwin James and Keith Gavin will be the featured kickoff returners.
By all accounts this fall, the kicking and punting have been more consistent and that will play a big part in FSU’s success this season. The ‘Noles can’t afford to leave all those hidden yards on the field, and must take advantage of field position gained with what should be a stout defense.
Next: No. 4