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Florida Football: 2021 starting kicker enters transfer portal

By Jeremy Trottier

Florida Gators place kicker Chris Howard (71) lines up a point after touchdown during the second half against the Samford Bulldogs at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 13, 2021.Ncaa Football Samford At Florida
Florida Gators place kicker Chris Howard (71) lines up a point after touchdown during the second half against the Samford Bulldogs at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 13, 2021.Ncaa Football Samford At Florida /
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Florida football kicker Chirs Howard enters the transfer portal

Florida Gators place kicker Chris Howard (71) kicks off during the second game of the season against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa Fla. Sept. 11, 2021.Flgai 09112021 Ufvs Usf Action21
Florida Gators place kicker Chris Howard (71) kicks off during the second game of the season against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa Fla. Sept. 11, 2021.Flgai 09112021 Ufvs Usf Action21 /

Chris Howard, the 6th-year senior and starting kicker for the Gators in 2021, has officially entered the transfer portal.  Howard took over in 2021 for the recently departed Evan McPherson, who was drafted the previous year to the Cincinnati Bengals.  Howard was not used for much of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, as he was primarily the backup to Evan, and now with hotshot freshman walkon Adam Mihalek entering the group, he seemingly would have to compete for the spot.

This move was somewhat expected after the Gators’ Orange & Blue game as Florida football found another premier kicker on the roster in Adam Mihalek.  Mihalek drilled field goals from 49 and 52 yards in the spring game and proved that he was a viable option to start for Florida. However, there is a contender, with freshman 3-star Trey Smack serving as incoming competition for the starting role.  As of right now though, it seems like Mihalek would be in the driver’s seat for the moment.

Chris Howard’s career with Florida football

Chris Howard was a really solid kicker in his one full season of playing time for the Gators.  In 2019 and 2020 he only had 11 PATs on 11 attempts, and 2 field goals on 2 attempts.  However, as previously mentioned once Evan McPherson left, Howard got his shot as the starter.  He would make 31/32 PAT attempts (96.9%) and 7/9 field goals (77.8%) for a total of 52 points on the season.  While he was solid, he did only have one year left of eligibility, so this move allows the Gators to have their long-term starting kicker move into the role this season.

As minor as the kicker role may seem right now in the grand scheme of things, it is important to have consistency from the position.  With Howard missing his only attempt on the night in the spring game from 32 yards, this seemingly was the right choice in moving on.  Kickers can make or break games, as a few poorly placed kicks can change the course of a game, the same as a few well-placed kicks can.

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