PHOENIX — Special teams were a glaring weakness for Arizona State football in 2025.

The KFord ratings, a football ranking system created by analyst Kelley Ford, gave the Sun Devils’ special teams a 2.5/100, ranking 132nd out of 136 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. 

Punting was especially inconsistent, as ASU ranked 134th in net punting yards, according to The Football Database.

Those inconsistencies were on display against Texas Tech in October of 2025, when then-sophomore Kanyon Floyd kicked a 29-yard punt late in the fourth quarter, setting up a short field and a golden scoring opportunity. 

Though the Sun Devils won the game, their special teams’ issues plagued the remainder of the season. 

However, ASU addressed its weakness by adding former NFL punter Mike Scifres to the coaching staff, offering valuable fundamental expertise. Additionally, the Sun Devils added fifth-year kicker Carson Smith and sophomore punter Nick McLarty in the transfer portal to build competition and improve upon the 2025 season. 

As a former NFL punter, Scifres brings professional experience to help ASU’s kicking and punting. 

Scifres punted for the then-San Diego Chargers from 2003-15, and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in both punting yards and net punting yards.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham said he appreciates what he’s seen from Scifres in camp.

“It’s really cool for me to see just because he’s been there, he’s done that,” Dillingham said. “I’m glad he’s on our side.”

Likewise, special teams coordinator Jack Nudo said that Scifres was one of the best punters in the NFL and noted the similarities in how he approaches his work as a coach.

“He treats his work as a coach like he did as a player,” Nudo said. “He’s a pro through and through.”

Similar to Scifres, Nudo brings experience at the position, having filled in as the interim special teams coordinator during the 2025 season after Charlie Ragle stepped down for health reasons.

After the special teams unit showed improvement under Nudo, the Sun Devils promoted him to full-time special teams coordinator for 2026. 

With a full offseason at the helm of special teams, Nudo worked to fill in his staff and brought in a voice he knew could teach the specific techniques of the kicking position.

“If you have a quarterbacks coach or tight end-specific (coach), why not have a guy that can coach the kickers and punters as well?” Scifres said.

Scifres said he believes having a coach dedicated to kickers and punters can go a long way toward helping those players maximize their abilities.

Yet maximizing performance isn’t Scifres’ only hurdle, as injuries plagued the punting room in 2025.

Floyd battled a hamstring injury for the majority of the season, which led to junior Matt McKenzie splitting the in-game opportunities. 

Regardless of who took the in-game reps, the unit failed to give the defense much room for error, often giving the opposing offense a short field.

To improve the Sun Devils’ punting, Scifres emphasized getting his players to understand the importance of their job.

“You need someone that can really help these kids understand more than the technique,” Scifres said. “Understand the game, the whys and why nots, the ins and outs of it.”

Under Scifres’ newfound teaching, ASU has a pair of punters competing for the starting role.

Floyd returns for his junior year, while McLarty transferred from Ohio State.

McLarty, born in Australia, has a background in Australian rules football and brings rare size to the position, Scifres said. 

“I was ecstatic when he said he was coming here because you can’t teach 6-foot-7, 250 (pounds). You can’t make those guys,” Scifres said. “He’s talented, so it’s fun to work with and he’s a hard worker.”

Likewise, Nudo also pointed out McLarty’s strong work ethic and commitment to learning.

“Nick’s (McLarty) done a very nice job since he’s been here,” Nudo said. “He’s been working really hard, he’s about business.”

Still, Nudo showed confidence in McLarty’s competition, praising Floyd's ability to ignore distractions around him. 

“He’s a competitor,” Nudo said. “So him between the ears, I’m not worried about.” 

Nudo further noted the importance of having Scifres work with Floyd on the fundamentals of punting.

As with the Sun Devils’ punters, the kicking battle centers on an established player and an incoming transfer.

Following the departure of Jesus Gomez, the Sun Devils have two options to fill the placekicker role. 

ASU retained junior Carston Kieffer for 2026 and added Smith in the transfer portal.

Smith was a standout kicker at Austin Peay, earning United Athletic Conference Specialist of the Year honors in 2025.

Despite being a transfer, Smith has a sense of familiarity as he enters Tempe. 

In 2024, Smith played under Nudo, who was Austin Peay’s special teams coordinator. 

Nudo said he knows what to expect from Smith. 

“He’s a reliable kicker,” Nudo said. “He’s got a strong leg, and between the ears, he’s great.”

Nudo said Smith and Kieffer will compete for the starting role, and both have been consistent at practice.

With Nudo returning after a season under his belt and Scifres bringing professional experience, ASU’s special teams have an opportunity to take a major step forward this season.

Still, Scifres said he wants his kickers and punters to understand it’s important for everyone on the team to do their part to contribute to success.

“If all 11 (players) do their one job, everything’s going to be seamless and we can lead the country in anything we want,” Scifres said.