FSU Football Fall Camp Preview: Special Teams

Offensive line

Defensive Ends

Linebackers

Corner defenders

Safety precautions

—Alex Mastromanno, Redshirt Senior

Mastromanno is entering his fifth season as Florida State’s punter and is one of the nation’s best at his position. Last year, he averaged a career-high 45.5 yards per punt, with 19 of his 66 kicks traveling 50+ yards. Mastromanno is one half of a kicking duo with Ryan Fitzgerald that has been consistent for years.

— Ryan Fitzgerald, Redshirt Senior

Fitzgerald returns for his final season of eligibility, which will be his sixth year with the Seminoles. He struggled in 2022, but responded last season, making 19 of 21 kicks and all 58 of his extra points. Fitzgerald. He has two career game-winners (Syracuse – 2021, Oklahoma – 2022) and ranks ninth in Florida State history with 299 career points. He is the only Seminole to have two seasons of at least 57 made PATs.

— Mac Chiumento, sophomore

Chiumento has been Florida State’s backup punter for the past two years and could replace Mastromanno after the Australian star ends his career with the Seminoles.

— Jake Weinberg, freshman

Weinberg was one of the top kickers in the 2024 class, as he was ranked No. 2 at his position by Kohl’s Kicking. He is Florida State’s future at that position once Fitzgerald leaves. Weinberg made a 57-yard field goal as a junior. He has made 21/33 field goal attempts and 68/71 extra points during his prep career.

— Mason Arnold, Redshirt Junior

Arnold will likely replace James Rosenberry Jr. as Florida State’s starting long snapper, who has been extremely reliable the last three years. He has plenty of experience after starting his career at Ohio State, where Arnold made the 2022 CFP semifinals. Arnold played six games for the Seminoles last season.

— Peyton Naylor, Redshirt Freshman

Naylor enters his second season with the program as a reserve long snapper. He is a local product of Maclay High School who redshirted last year.

— Malik Benson, Sr.

Benson hasn’t returned a punt at the college level, but he did work at the spot in the spring. The lack of experience won’t deter the Seminoles, who went through a similar process with Keon Coleman last year.

— Ja’Khi Douglas, RS Sr.

Douglas has served as a kick returner in the past, playing that spot in 2021 and 2022. It’s possible he’ll play there or as a punt returner during his final season at the collegiate level.

— Jaylin Lucas, Jr.

Lucas is expected to make an impact at kick returner and potentially punt return after joining Florida State this offseason. He ties the Indiana record with three kickoff returns for scores and his 26.0 yards per return average was tied for No. 11 in the nation last year. Lucas is a dynamic weapon and could potentially become the Seminoles’ elite return unit.

— Deuce Spann, RS Sr.

Spann saw some time as a kick returner last year where he was inconsistent. His best game came in the win over Duke when he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to help Florida State pull off a comeback win. Don’t be surprised to see him in the return game again.

— Darion Williamson, RS Sr.

Williamson has never returned a kick in a game, but he has worked with the unit in practice and was listed as a two-deep kick returner for the Orange Bowl. He could be in the mix if the Seminoles are looking for an experienced option.

— Caziah Holmes, RS Sr.

Holmes was on the depth chart as a kick returner at various points during last year’s season. He could be in a similar position this season.

— Samuel Singleton, RS father.

Singleton worked with the return unit in practice last year when he was redshirted. It’s unlikely he’ll play a major role on offense this season, but Florida State could use his speed on special teams.

Can the Seminoles successfully replace their starting punt returner for the third straight season?

Florida State struggled mightily against its return units during Mike Norvell’s first two years with the program. That began to change in 2022, as Mycah Pittman developed into a solid option on the punt returner. He was replaced last year by Keon Coleman, who hadn’t returned a punt in college before playing for the Seminoles.

Now, for the third straight year, FSU will need to find a new face to return punts. Malik Benson and Ja’Khi Douglas are two of the top options for camp. Benson didn’t return punts in junior college or at Alabama, but that clearly won’t matter to the coaching staff. Douglas has worked at the position before in practice and has the playmaking skills needed.

—Alex Mastromanno/Ryan Fitzgerald

The obvious answer is Alex Mastromanno and Ryan Fitzgerald, who have been regulars in the lineup since 2020. They’ve been through it all with the Seminoles and have a wealth of experience to pass along to a youthful group of kickers, punters and long snappers behind them.

Mastromanno and Fitzgerald are two hard-working, character-driven players who are important to Florida State both on and off the court.

Shovel:

1. Ryan Fitzgerald, RS Sr.

2. Jake Weinberg, Father.

Punter:

1. Alex Mastromanno, RS Sr.

2. Mac Chiumento, RS So.

Long Snapper:

1. Mason Arnold, RS Jr.

2. Peyton Naylor, RS Fr.

Point returner:

1. Malik Benson, Sr.

2. Ja’Khi Douglas, RS Sr.

Backpedal:

1. Jaylin Lucas, Jr.

2. Deuce Spann, RS Sr.

Florida State’s kicking units should be a strong point for the team in 2024. One thing to watch is the competition at long snapper, as redshirt junior Mason Arnold and redshirt freshman Peyton Naylor battle for the right to replace James Rosenberry Jr., who has been extremely reliable for three years. It’s an overlooked part of the game, as long as it’s done right.

The return units are where things get really interesting, with a variety of names vying for both jobs. Malik Benson and Ja’Khi Douglas could be electric as punt returners, while Jaylin Lucas and Deuce Spann project for an intriguing kick return unit. That’s not set in stone yet, however, as several other Seminoles will try to force their way into the mix.

Regardless, the growth on the special teams side of the ball in recent years under Norvell and John Papuchis has been encouraging, and Florida State is poised to make another positive impact in that phase of the game this year.

READ MORE: FSU Football’s Updated Fall Roster Shows Notable Weight Gains, Losses For Multiple Seminoles

Stay with NoleGameday for more FREE Florida State Football Coverage throughout the fall camp

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, And TikTok

• FSU Football newcomer Amaree Williams expects to start college career as tight end

• FSU Football Preseason Roundtable: NoleGameday answers five questions about fall camp

• Where does FSU Football’s Doak Campbell Stadium rank among the top in the country?