GAINESVILLE — Tulane particular groups coach Johnathan Galante will be a part of new coach Jon Sumrall at UF after supercharging the Inexperienced Wave’s particular groups throughout his one season in New Orleans.
A supply confirmed Galante’s hiring to substitute Joe Houston, who arrived in 2024 from the New Englands as an analyst charged with enhancing the so-called third part of the sport. UF dedicated seven particular groups penalties in 2023 with analyst Chris Sofa in cost.
Galante arrived at Tulane following three seasons at Marshall and have become an nominee for the 2025 Broyles Award, given the nation’s high assistant coach.
Placekicker Patrick Durkin was named the American Convention’s Particular Groups Participant of the Yr after making 24-of-27 area targets try. A rising redshirt sophomore, Durkin tied second nationally in made area targets whereas additionally he ranked fifth with 66 touchbacks (on 77 kicks).
Punter Alec Clark led the AAC with a median of 46.82 yards on 45 makes an attempt, together with 15 contained in the 20-yard line. . Clark adopted Galante from Marshall and has two seasons of remaining eligibility.
The Gators want to exchange each kicker Trey Smack, the school-record holder with 10 area targets of fifty yards or extra, and punter Tommy Doman, who averaged 44 yards on 50 makes an attempt, with 17 contained in the 20, after he transferred from Michigan.
TJ Smith was a third-team All-AAC return specialist as a junior, whereas freshman Jason Arredondo additionally made third staff as a protracted snapper, a place UF must fill following the departure of former Lake Mary standout Rocco Underwood.
Smack transformed 36 of 43 area targets the previous two season, whereas punter Jeremy Crawshaw left after 2024 the school-record holder with a punting common of 46.4 yards.
However UF’s protection groups ranked eleventh on kickoffs in ’24 and twelfth in ’25, and tenth and sixth on punts, respectively. UF blocked one punt in two seasons.
The Gators ranked in punt returning in 2024 behind receiver Chimere Dike, who has returned two punts for scores with the Tennessee Titans. UF ranked eighth this season. Florida ranked eighth (2024) and thirteenth (2025) on kickoff returns.
Tulane leads the AAC in kickoff protection and is eighth in punt protection underneath Galante.
Edgar Thompson might be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
