Tag: Evan Noel

Florida stocks up on special teamers on early signing day

Kickers and punters are people too, and Billy Napier values that talented group of specialists he added on early signing day.

Specialists are often overlooked in the recruiting cycle, but Billy Napier made sure to replenish Florida’s game-changers unit with the addition of three special teamers.

[autotag]Hayden Craig[/autotag] is coming in to replace punter Jeremy Crawshaw, who is out of eligibility after 2024, and [autotag]Evan Noel[/autotag] is a power leg set to take over the reins once placekicker Trey Smack leaves in 2025. Florida also added an elite long-snapper, [autotag]Mack Mulhern[/autotag], as a preferred walk-on. He’ll get a chance to step into Rocco Underwood’s role after next season.

Craig is the only one of the three specialists who plans on early enrollment. Mulhern and Noel will join the team over the summer.

Billy Napier breaks down specialist signed

“That’s one of the things that probably nobody wants to talk about, but I mean go watch the tape of this Evan Noel guy. This guy’s hitting 62-yarders off the ground. Out here in kicking camp, he had a 62-yarder, and we called time out. We double time outted them out there in the in the Swamp, and he lined up, and piked it right down the middle. I don’t give many elite grades. He’s got an elite grade.

“Obviously, we’re extremely excited about Mack and Hayden. Specialists are a big piece of the puzzle, and we’ve seen the value of those over our time here. Credit Coach (Joe) Houston and Coach (Chris) Couch and Coach Fletch for going out and recruiting some of the best in the country.”

More on Craig

“He’s a lefty and he’s got a — even Crawhsaw stamped him at camp. I asked Crawshaw what he thought and he said that lefty from Maine, from Canada. He’s also a really good kicker. He made a 50-something yarder to win a game for his team this past year. I love his parents. His parents, ton of sacrifice for him to come to the States and play, boarding school. A ton of sacrifice there for that family, what they did. That whole recruitment of specialists is a gantlet, right? So I just think they’re on a mission there to help him.”

Recruiting Summary

K Evan Noel

Noel is the top-ranked kicker in the class of 2025, according to 247Sports standalone list. The 247Sport composite, which considers all four major services, has him at No. 3 among kickers, while the On3 industry ranking has him at No. 1.

Kohl’s Professional Camps, which focuses on special teamers, gives Noel a five-star rating and ranks him No. 2 in the class.

“If I went there I would have to sit behind Trey for a year, or at least be in a position battle with him my first year,” Noel said when he flipped from Arkansas. “They wanted to get a kicker they liked a lot this cycle, which is me. Have me there to get developed, learn from Trey and the coaches, and then be ready to go the next year.”

P Hayden Craig

The 247Sports composite lists Craig as the fifth-best punter in the class of 2025, and On3 has him at No. 7. Craig primarily played hockey until a few years ago, but he has impressed with his leg since hitting the gridiron.

“Craig competed at Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp in July of 2024. He scored well in all areas,” according to Kohl’s. “He scored 104.9 points in punting, 24/36 points on field goals, and 107.5 points on kickoffs. He also scored 18 points on rollout punts. His athleticism and upside is as high as anyone in the 2025 class.”

LS Mack Mulhern (PWO)

Of the four major recruiting services, On3 is the only one that has an evaluation of Mulhern. He ranks 10th among long snappers in the class, but Kohl’s has him down as the No. 2 player at the position.

“Mulhern has been one of the best snappers in America at every Kohl’s Snapping Camp he competes at,” according to Kohl’s comments. “He has the rare ability to be violent with his snapping motion but stay under control on his finish. While at the Kohl’s National Scholarship Camp, Mulhern scored on all 20 of his charted long snaps and finished with the 2nd-highest overall score in the 2025 class. He has some of the fastest hands in the country and consistently snaps in the .66-.68 second range.”

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Gators flip No. 2 kicker in class of 2025 from Arkansas

Florida’s special teams should remain strong for years to come following the commitment of Evan Noel, the top kicker in the class of 2025.

Florida earned a commitment from St. Stanislaus (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) kicker [autotag]Evan Noel[/autotag] on Monday.

Noel is one of the top kickers in the 2025 recruiting class, ranked No. 1 at his position by both 247Sports and On3. He recently set the Mississippi high school state record with a 61-yarder in mid-September.

He flipped from Arkansas after a year-long commitment to the Razorbacks. Arkansas viewed Noel as an immediate solution to its special team’s woes. The Razorbacks have only hit 13 of 20 field goal attempts this season, and Noel had a strong chance to start there next season.

Instead, he’ll head to Gainesville in 2025 and begin his college career behind Trey Smack. There is a chance Noel challenges Smack for the starting job next season, but that means beating out a third-year starter in his senior year.

Smack began his Gators career as a kickoff specialist while Adam Mihalek served as the primary placekicker. Since then, Smack has made 27 of 34 field goal attempts, including three from beyond 50 yards.

Noel understands the situation he’s entering, though.

“If I went there I would have to sit behind Trey for a year, or at least be in a position battle with him my first year,” Noel said to 247Sports. “They wanted to get a kicker they liked a lot this cycle, which is me. Have me there to get developed, learn from Trey and the coaches, and then be ready to go the next year.”

First-year assistant Joe Houston is a major reason Noel decided on Florida. The two have developed a strong relationship, and Noel believes Houston will be able to develop him better than other special teams coaches.

Florida moved up to No. 45 in 247Sports’ team rankings as a result of the commitment.

Recruiting Summary

Noel is a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and On3. Kickers rarely exceed the three-star threshold; however, Kohl’s Professional Camps, which only grades special teamers, lists Noel as a five-star talent.

“Noel competed at the National Scholarship Camp in July of 2024 and had an outstanding camp. He scored 32/36 points on field goals and 107.5 points on kickoffs. Noel might have the best overall talent in the 2025 class! He is very consistent and handles pressure very well,” reads the Kohl’s breakdown of the newest Florida commit.

The 247Sports composite ranks Noel No. 2,086 overall and No. 2 at his position, while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 2,179 and 3, respectively. The low composite rankings stem from a two-star listing by Rivals.

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SEC-committed kicker intrigued with Gators after offer

Billy Napier and Co. are looking to flip kicker Evan Noel from his commitment to the Razorbacks.

Florida football’s efforts in the 2025 recruiting cycle have continued while the opening salvo of the 2024 campaign quickly approaches. The Gators are still lagging behind a bit with the next class but have still been making gains this summer.

In late July, Billy Napier offered a scholarship to three-star kicker [autotag]Evan Noel[/autotag] out of Bay Saint Louis (Mississippi) St Stanislaus, who is currently committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The recent courtship between Florida and the coveted specialist has been heating up since his visit to Gainesville back in June, and with an offer now in his hand, Craig is considering the Orange and Blue a bit more closely.

Noel talks Florida’s offer

“I went over there last year during the summer and kicked there,” Noel told Swamp247. “I did pretty good, and they offered me as a PWO last year. I wanted to come back again this summer and see what they had in mind, so I went again to kick for them this summer.

“They also had me stay around after I worked out to do a visit with them too that same time in June. We’ve been in touch a lot. Coach Napier gave me a call not too long ago and he gave me the offer.”

What stands out to Noel about UF

“I really like the campus. My whole family really liked the campus. We liked the people that they have over there too. Everyone there is super nice to us, and they welcomed us every time we’ve been there.

“I got to meet some of the players, and thought they were super cool too. A lot of things about their program and school really stand out to us from times we’ve been there.”

Noel’s relationship with Florida’s coaches

“We have talked about what my hobbies are, and just getting to know each other from. Talking about things, so we can get to know each other a little better. He will get me on the phone with my family around, so we can all talk together.”

Noel also points out that he spends a lot of time acclimating with the two coaches spearheading his recruitment.

“I talk with Coach Napier and Coach Houston, so we can all get a better idea of each other.”

Noel’s impression of Coach Houston

“He knows kicking a good bit. Actually know the development part of it, and things you can do to improve things. Sometimes you have coaches that do special teams, but aren’t really super into the development part, but more the schematic part of it.

“Coach Houston really knows his stuff though. He knows what you’ve done wrong if you miss, and what you can change to help fix anything.”

How Florida’s offer has affected Noel

“I really like Florida, and that new offer made me reconsider things a lot. I am just waiting for the season to go on, so that I can see how things go for both teams.

“That is really what I want to do before I make any sort of decision. They both have big seasons.”

Noel’s outlook with the Gators

“If I went there I would have to sit behind Trey (Smack) for a year, or at least be in a position battle with him my first year. They wanted to get a kicker they liked a lot this cycle, which is me.

“Have me there to get developed, learn from Trey and the coaches, and then be ready to go the next year. That is how they see it.”

Recruiting Summary

Noel is ranked No. 1,582 overall and No. 5 at his position nationally according to the On3 industry ranking.

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