For the last two seasons, when the Gators lined up for a field goal, Florida fans could rest assured that three points would soon be on the board.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis’ five years at UF were the most prolific of any kicker in Florida’s history, but coach Will Muschamp is tasked with replacing him this season.
The two main contenders for the job are redshirt freshman Austin Hardin and senior Brad Phillips.
“It’s our turn to have our careers here,” Hardin said at UF media day on Thursday.
Added Phillips: “The standard’s been set for kickers here at Florida.”
Sturgis left behind large shoes to fill.
He was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2011 and 2012 and made the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference team. He garnered All-America honors from both CBSSports.com and the Sporting News.
Phillips, a Gainesville native who kicked for Buchholz High, had a chance to replace Sturgis in 2011 and 2012. Phillips made two field goals against Georgia in 2011, including a 43-yard kick. In 2012, he missed his one field goal opportunity against Missouri. He averaged 62.8 yards on 27 kickoffs over the past three seasons.
“When I was a freshman … I never thought I’d even get a chance to play,” he said. “Throughout the years, I’ve been getting bits and pieces on field goals and kickoffs, so it’s good to get that game experience.”
Hardin has yet to step onto the field for the Gators. The second-year kicker earned a redshirt last year.
However, Hardin was one of the most highly touted kickers in the 2012 recruiting class. ESPN rated him a three-star recruit and the top kicker in the nation. But with Sturgis and Phillips on the roster already, Muschamp redshirted the freshman.
“The biggest thing about my redshirt year was just getting used to things,” Hardin said. “A year was amazing for me to learn behind someone who was great at what they did.”
“It helped me grow on the mental side a lot with different kicks and missing one and not getting down about it.”
Hardin and Phillips have about three weeks to prove themselves to Muschamp and new special teams coach Jeff Choate before Florida opens its season against Toledo on Aug. 31.
Muschamp said the most important aspect to the position is a kicker’s accuracy, and said that both players were accurate “at times.” But he also said he wanted to have one person take control of the position and not switch kickers throughout the year.
“I’d like for one guy to take the job, there’s no question,” he said. “We need production at the position … If you’re not getting the production, you need to take a look somewhere else.”
Both players know the coaching staff is looking to name one starter, but Phillips thinks the Gators can be successful naming either as Sturgis’ replacement.
“The good thing about our competition is it’s a great kicker versus a great kicker,” Phillips said. “We both know the game of football, we both know how to kick footballs.”
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Coach Will Muschamp speaks at UF media day on Thursday. Muschamp has not named a starter to replace former kicker Caleb Sturgis, who was a Lou Groza Award finalist.
