Billy Napier defines roles for Florida Gators kickers

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•08/19/23•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s not the sexiest of position or position battles but the Florida Gators‘ kicking battle has ended. Saturday, Billy Napier named redshirt sophomore kicker Adam Mihalek the field goal kicker, while redshirt freshman Trey Smack will handle kickoffs.

“We were really pleased with the specialists play in the scrimmage, and I would say as a whole that group is talented and I think they are in a groove there,” Napier said. ”Right now I think Trey (Smack) would kick off and Adam would be the placekicker.”

Florida went with Mihalek in 2022. The kicker from Zepheryhills, Florida, converted 14-of-21 field goal attempts a year ago. The 66.7% success rate was the lowest for a Florida kicker since 2015 when Austin Hardin converted just 35.7% (5-of-14) field goal attempts. Mihalek has been much more consistent this fall.

“I was close to 90% on field goals,” Mihalek said on Saturday.

“I’m really confident. I didn’t really change a whole lot, maybe I changed a couple of things. Maybe like the distance of how many, how long my steps are when I go back, but it wasn’t anything crazy.”

Mihalek’s range has also increased in the offseason through workouts and a small change in the way he’s kicking.

“I’ve been able to hit 65 yarders, so I wouldn’t say, I don’t think it changed that much. I’ve been able to squat more, but I wouldn’t say it translated completely,” he said. “Really it’s just trying to hit the sweet spot, and I don’t necessarily swing 100% every time. I mean on a deeper ball you’re gonna have to swing harder than a 40-yarder or 30-yarder, but I would say I can still hit 65, maybe 66.”

Despite competition, Gators kickers kick it off the field

The kickers walked in together to speak with the media on Saturday. The pair spend a lot of time together on and off the field.

“I love kicking with Trey, so it’s fun. We’re really neck-and-neck with one another. He was phenomenal also on field goals, we’re both up there. Kickoffs, I would say he’s better than me,” Mihalek said. “I have some improvements to make in hang time and being able to hit certain, different balls. It’s really cool thought, because I don’t think many programs in the country have what me and Trey have going on.”

The redshirt freshman, who might have the best name of any kicker in the history of football, echoed that sentiment.

“I think Adam and I have a good relationship, and I think when we’re locking in,” Smack said. He’s confident. I’m confident in what we do. I mean, he said he’s going 90 percent this year. I’m at 90 percent [success rate] with him. It’s like, back and forth. The conversation is great between us. Like he said earlier, me and him got something that the other schools in the country.”

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