Special Teams
The value of good special teams isn't lost on Mike Norvell. Ironically, as bad as the Noles were in 2024, they had the No. 3 ranked special teams nationally according to FEI advanced metrics.
It helps when you have arguably the best punter and placekicker in the nation with Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald.
FSU struggled in kickoff and punt returns. They only averaged 21.64 yards per return, but that was inflated with Sam Singleton's 95-yard touchdown return against Duke.
FSU only averaged 1.53 yards per punt return in 2024. Remember how much of a weapon Keon Coleman was as a punt returner in 2023?
Special teams have played huge roles in these playoffs. There have been huge kickoffs and punt returns that have impacted games. Mastromanno and Fitzgerald will look to take their games to the NFL, so we can expect some regression there. However, FSU has to find some playmakers at the kick and punt returner spots.
Jaylin Lucas and Singleton will be viable options at kick returner, and newcomer Squirrel White could be the guy at punt returner.