FSU Football: Backfield, special teams breakdown from 2019 class

Good news came for Florida State when Ryan Fitzgerald, the three star kicker from Colquitt County, Georgia, ranked number 12 on the 247sports composite rankings. The six foot, 185 pound kicker his senior year, averaged 40.9 yards per punt, had 11 punts within the 20-yard line, 94 touchbacks in 107 kickoffs, and scored a total of 133 total points in 15 games.

His points after touchdown record was flawless with 67 points made out of 67 attempts, and on field goals made 22 out of 27 attempts. He was first team All-American per USA Today, leading the nation in touchbacks, field goals made, and points scored.

In years past, kickers were an issue for Florida State under the Bobby Bowden era until Florida State solidified its resolve to place kicking at a high priority. The Florida State and Miami games of the 1980’s and 1990’s highlighted that fact.

Since that time, Florida State has built a kicking dynasty, even more so with the addition of the Aguayo brothers, and Fitzgerald will continue that tradition. He will take over kicking duties in 2020 after a redshirt year, and when Ricky Aguayo graduates.