Freshmen making difference for Florida Tech

Florida Tech football coach Steve Englehart knew on Signing Day that he had a talented group joining his team.

Fast forward eight months and he has three true freshmen already helping his team win games in October.

“They have been really good, the talent that we expected them to be,” Englehart said. “We might not have expected them to contribute that early but we aren’t surprised by it either.”

Two of the freshmen have started since Game 1 as Kyle Gullikson and Antwuan Haynes both won jobs out of camp.

Gullikson, a Titusville High graduate, is the starting punter and has helped solidify the kicking game, averaging 59 yards per kickoff and 40.4 yards per punt.

Haynes has worked his way into a bigger role as the season progressed, winning the Gulf South Conference Freshmen of the Week twice already.

The Plantation High graduate has returned 16 kicks this season, averaging 22.5 yards per return which is good for fifth in the conference. He has also rushed for 131 yards, playing in all five games.

A third freshmen has now earned his way into the rotation on the defensive side of the ball as defensive back Henry Montgomery III made his Panthers debut against Delta State and assisted on one tackle.

“He has shown us a lot in the scout team and he is ready to compete,” Englehart said.

Montgomery has actually been on campus longer than the other two as he graduated early from Gainesville High and was on campus in January. He also plays for the baseball team, playing in 13 games.

“I think you always have a few freshmen. I think we would have had a few freshmen last year as well but I think we were just more committed to redshirting them then and now we are not committed to redshirting,” Englehart said. “It is a good thing but if someone can come in and help us now, then that is what we need to do.”

They certainly have made a difference this season.