Florida kicker Evan Noel is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Friday, marking an early turn in the college career of one of the most highly touted specialists in the 2025 recruiting class.
Noel arrived in Gainesville with serious pedigree. He was rated a five-star kicker by Kohls Kicking and ranked as the No. 1 kicker in the 2025 class by 247Sports.
But in his first season with the Gators, Noel didn’t see the field. Florida leaned on veteran Trey Smack for both place-kicking duties and kickoffs throughout the year, giving Noel time to develop behind the scenes.
His decision to transfer comes after a year spent learning and waiting, a common path for young kickers in programs with entrenched starters. Noel knew the situation coming in. Florida was upfront about their plan - bring in a top-tier kicker to develop behind Smack, with an eye on the future.
“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 during his recruitment. “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 patience, however, now gives way to a new chapter.
Noel originally committed to Arkansas before flipping to Florida after receiving a scholarship offer. He had previously been offered a preferred walk-on spot before the Gators made things official.
Multiple visits to Gainesville helped seal the deal. He spoke highly of the program, the campus, and the people around it.
“My whole family really liked the campus,” Noel said ahead of his commitment in 2024. “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 key figure in Noel’s recruitment was special teams coordinator Joe Houston, who recently took the same role at LSU under Lane Kiffin. Houston’s departure is notable - not just because of his role in bringing Noel to Florida, but because of the trust Noel placed in his developmental approach.
“He knows kicking a good bit,” Noel said of Houston. “Actually knows 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.”
Now, with Houston gone and a year of development under his belt, Noel is looking for a fresh opportunity - one where he can compete for playing time right away. For a kicker with his credentials, the portal is likely to open several doors.
Noel’s next stop will be one to watch. He’s got the leg, the polish, and the pedigree. Now, he’s just looking for the right fit - a place where he can take what he’s learned and finally show it on Saturdays.