Kicker Adam Milhalek awarded scholarship by Florida's Billy Napier

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•02/08/23•

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The Gators will have 28 new scholarship players this spring, including one who is a returning starter.

Teams are typically under the 85-man scholarship limit in the spring, providing head coaches with an opportunity to award scholarships to walk-on players (even if only for a semester or two).

Florida coach Billy Napier did so this offseason with kicker Adam Mihalek. Napier revealed on signing day that Mihalek had been placed on scholarship following his contributions last season.

“Adam, in particular, certainly very deserving in his role and how he contributed to our team this past year,” Napier said. “We’ll have a handful more (walk-ons earn scholarships), but I think we’re going to observe the work this spring before we make those decisions.” 

Mihalek joined the team as a walk-on in the spring of 2021 and redshirted that year before starting all 13 games last season, beating out freshman scholarship kicker Trey Smack for the job.

Mihalek made 14 of 21 field goal attempts (66.7 percent) and was 3-for-6 from 50 yards with a career-long of 52 against Georgia. He also hit a 50-yarder vs. Texas A&M and Kentucky.

Mihalek had a rough three-game stretch early in the year, attempts six kicks and connecting on just two. But he hit four of his last five tries on the season, with the lone miss being from 52.

Mihalek was named a finalist for the 2022 Burlsworth Trophy, an award given out annually to the most outstanding walk-on player in the country.

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