Gabe Panikowski enjoyed playing goalkeeper and forward in soccer growing up. But when his mom, Kris, introduced the high school freshman to John Carney, who kicked in the NFL for 23 seasons, a long-term relationship began.

Panikowski has picked up knowledge from a few other kicking coaches through the years — FSU is now his fifth school — but Carney has been the foundational influence since those early days growing up in San Diego. While he enjoyed track (running the 100 and 4×100 relay) and soccer, among other sports, football became his long-term focus.

“I just decided I might want to try something other than soccer and give something new a try,” Panikowski said. “I went over to field-goal kicking since freshman year of high school and since then I’ve just fell in love with the sport and everything that comes with it — connections, meeting new people, traveling.”

From his high school days in San Diego, Panikowski has had quite the football journey. He was Sacramento State’s kickoff specialist in 2022, kicked at Riverside City College in 2023 and became an All-American at FCS Idaho State in 2024. After a redshirt year at Oklahoma State in 2025, Panikowski entered the transfer portal and picked FSU in January.

The well-traveled Panikowski has seen footballs take flight in his college career. He made 15 of 15 field-goal attempts at Idaho State, including a 55-yarder. Special teams coordinator Adam Scheier said Panikowski made 4 of 4 field-goal attempts on Thursday, including a 52-yarder to end the day.

Scheier said Conor McAneney has the edge for FSU to handle kickoffs. But he considers Panikowski to be FSU’s kicker.

“Been very pleased with Gabe since he stepped on campus, just his approach and how consistent and smooth he is as a field-goal kicker,” Scheier said. “That’s shown through spring and through fall camp here.”

Panikowski hasn’t kicked on the big stage yet, but he feels good about how his previous experiences have shaped who he is as a person and kicker.

“From each institution I was able to grab a little piece of the things that I’m trying to work on and develop every single year into the person that I am now,” Panikowski said.

He also mentioned his confidence has been built with time spent on the practice field with Carter Jula, a punter who will be FSU’s holder, and snapper Caleb Bowers.

“Preparation creates confidence. I can say with certainty that I have prepared myself for this opportunity and any opportunity that lies ahead of me,” Panikowski said. “… It’s me, my holder and snapper out there. It’s just us. We’ve been working on this for so many years. One snap, one hold, one kick at a time is something that’s going through my mind.”

Panikowski also enjoyed spending a few minutes with Sebastian Janikowski at FSU’s practices in Jacksonville last week. Janikowski will have his No. 38 jersey retired before FSU’s opener.

“As soon as I saw him, I was like, ‘Holy cow. this guy is huge.’ He looked like a linebacker,” Panikowski said. “I had a couple conversations with him. He is a really down to Earth guy.”

Scheier on return game

FSU has brought in specialists via the portal, from Panikowski to punter Daniel Hughes (New Mexico) and Bowers (who followed Scheier from UNLV to FSU). But when it comes to the returners, the Seminoles have had plenty of options returning or coming in via the high school ranks.

Two familiar names will be deep for FSU on kick returns: Micahi Danzy and Samuel Singleton Jr.

“Danzy and Singleton back there,” Scheier said. “I think we have two of the best returners in the country. We’ve got good middle skill to block for them up front. The guys are understanding the schematics of what it takes to block for those days. They’re dangerous with the ball in their hands.”

FSU has explored a number of options at punt returner. One name that keeps popping up is freshman Jasen Lopez.

“Jasen Lopez has shown the ability, confidence, moxie for a freshman to be the guy,” Scheier said.

He also mentioned Devin Carter, Jayvan Boggs, Gemari Sands and Ja’Bril Rawls as options at punt returner.

Up next

FSU will take Friday off before what coach Mike Norvell has called a “compete day” on Saturday that will in part give younger Seminoles a chance to battle in 11-on-11 situations and fight for playing time.

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