Gators putting extra emphasis on forgotten aspect of the game

University of Florida special teams coordinator and running backs coach Greg Knox watch the Florida Gators work during a special teams drill / Gator Country photo by David BowieStanding next to Johnny Townsend during the beginning of a spring football practice the former Florida Gators punter was amazed at the drill the team was doing. Dan Mullen began practice with the entire team working on blocking punts. Townsend told me they did it during his first year with Will Muschamp, but he hadn’t seen the drill since.

It’s no wonder that Florida blocked just five punts and kicks in the last five seasons. There was little to no emphasis put on special teams by the previous staff, especially under…