Here's a look at the top special teams units in the country this season.
1. Kansas State Wildcats
The apple does not fall far from the tree. Sean Snyder (Bill's son) produces one of the top special-teams units every year. K-State was No. 1 in my special-teams rankings in 2015 but last year was "only" third. This year all the top guys are back. Kicker Matthew McCrane is 36 of 40 on career field goal attempts. Punter Nick Walsh had a net average of 39.7 yards. Byron Pringle averaged 28.7 yards on kick returns andDominique Heath 12.9 on punt returns.
2. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
WKU was No. 1 in my special-teams rankings in 2016 and has everyone back, though the unit's coach Tony Levine left for Purdue. Punter Jake Collins has net averages of 37.3 and 38.8. KickerSkyler Simcox hit 16 of 22 attempts (long of 52 yards). Nacarius Fantaveraged 15.6 on punt returns and Kylen Towner an amazing 40.3 yards on punt returns.
3. Florida Gators
Kicking was a nightmare for the Gators, but last year I said they would have the most improved kicking position in the country despite the fact that Eddy Pineiro had never kicked. He made 21 of 25 attempts (long of 54 yards) and has 65-plus range. Punter Johnny Townsend had a net average of 42.1 yards in 2015 and 40.6 in 2016.Antonio Callaway is a dangerous return man (15.5 average on punt returns in 2015, 32.3 on three kick returns in 2016).
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Gophers were 39th in my special-teams rankings in 2015. Last year kicker Ryan Santoso (17 of 21 on field goal attempts) moved to punter and did well with a 37.7 net average. Emmit Carpentertook over as kicker and made 22 of 24 field goal attempts (long of 53 yards). They lose their top return guy, Jalen Myrick, who averaged only 4.9 yards on punt returns and 22.1 on kickoff returns.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols were fifth in my special-teams rankings in 2015 and had almost everyone back last season. But most everyone had their numbers fall off a bit like Cam Sutton (from a school-record 467 punt return yards in 2015 to only 32 last season) and they were 17th. KickerAaron Medley has hit 52 of 73 career field goal attempts (long of 47 yards). Punter Trevor Daniel had a 39.0 net average in 2015 and 39.8 in 2016. Evan Berry averaged 32.9 yards on kick returns.
6. Texas A&M Aggies
A&M is famous for its 12th man special teams and was No. 4 in my special-teams rankings in 2014, seventh in 2015 but dropped to 13th last year. This year the Aggies lose their top kick returner, Justin Evans, but Christian Kirk averaged 21.7 yards on punt returns and 28.8 on kickoff returns. Punter Shane Tripucka (41.6 net average) and kicker Daniel LaCamera, who made 17 of 24 attempts (long of 49 yards), also return.
7. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers return perhaps the best kicker in the country inDaniel Carlson, who has made 69 of 83 field goal attempts in his career with 12 from 50 yards or longer. If Ian Shannon does not win the punting job, Carlson could handle that as well. Auburn returns its kick and punt returners and long snapper and were 12th in my special-teams rankings last year.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions
With Penn State at 85 scholarships, its special-teams units (with better depth) have improved each year and was ranked 23rd in 2016. Penn State beat Ohio State last year on a blocked field goal attempt that was returned for the touchdown. Everyone is back this season, including kicker Tyler Davis (22 of 24 on field goal attempts with a long of 40 yards) and punter Blake Gillikin (37.8 net average).
9. San Diego State Aztecs
Rocky Long had trouble finding a kicker his first few years but last season John Baron II made 21 of 23 attempts (long of 50 yards) and the Aztecs were eighth in my rankings. They bring in punterSteven Coutts, who had a 38.7 net average at Louisiana. Rashaad Pennyand Juwan Washington averaged 30.6 yards on kick returns with three touchdowns.
10. Florida State Seminoles
Florida State dropped to 50th in my rankings in 2016. PunterLogan Tyler had a 34.1-yard net average as a true freshman and should improve. Ricky Aguayo made 19 of 26 field goal attempts (long of 47 yards). The Seminoles lose their top kick returner (Kermit Whitfield) and punt returner (Jesus Wilson) but with all their elite recruits and coach Jimbo Fisher's history, this unit will be back near the top.
The apple does not fall far from the tree. Sean Snyder (Bill's son) produces one of the top special-teams units every year. K-State was No. 1 in my special-teams rankings in 2015 but last year was "only" third. This year all the top guys are back. Kicker Matthew McCrane is 36 of 40 on career field goal attempts. Punter Nick Walsh had a net average of 39.7 yards. Byron Pringle averaged 28.7 yards on kick returns andDominique Heath 12.9 on punt returns.
WKU was No. 1 in my special-teams rankings in 2016 and has everyone back, though the unit's coach Tony Levine left for Purdue. Punter Jake Collins has net averages of 37.3 and 38.8. KickerSkyler Simcox hit 16 of 22 attempts (long of 52 yards). Nacarius Fantaveraged 15.6 on punt returns and Kylen Towner an amazing 40.3 yards on punt returns.
Kicking was a nightmare for the Gators, but last year I said they would have the most improved kicking position in the country despite the fact that Eddy Pineiro had never kicked. He made 21 of 25 attempts (long of 54 yards) and has 65-plus range. Punter Johnny Townsend had a net average of 42.1 yards in 2015 and 40.6 in 2016.Antonio Callaway is a dangerous return man (15.5 average on punt returns in 2015, 32.3 on three kick returns in 2016).
The Gophers were 39th in my special-teams rankings in 2015. Last year kicker Ryan Santoso (17 of 21 on field goal attempts) moved to punter and did well with a 37.7 net average. Emmit Carpentertook over as kicker and made 22 of 24 field goal attempts (long of 53 yards). They lose their top return guy, Jalen Myrick, who averaged only 4.9 yards on punt returns and 22.1 on kickoff returns.
The Vols were fifth in my special-teams rankings in 2015 and had almost everyone back last season. But most everyone had their numbers fall off a bit like Cam Sutton (from a school-record 467 punt return yards in 2015 to only 32 last season) and they were 17th. KickerAaron Medley has hit 52 of 73 career field goal attempts (long of 47 yards). Punter Trevor Daniel had a 39.0 net average in 2015 and 39.8 in 2016. Evan Berry averaged 32.9 yards on kick returns.
A&M is famous for its 12th man special teams and was No. 4 in my special-teams rankings in 2014, seventh in 2015 but dropped to 13th last year. This year the Aggies lose their top kick returner, Justin Evans, but Christian Kirk averaged 21.7 yards on punt returns and 28.8 on kickoff returns. Punter Shane Tripucka (41.6 net average) and kicker Daniel LaCamera, who made 17 of 24 attempts (long of 49 yards), also return.
The Tigers return perhaps the best kicker in the country inDaniel Carlson, who has made 69 of 83 field goal attempts in his career with 12 from 50 yards or longer. If Ian Shannon does not win the punting job, Carlson could handle that as well. Auburn returns its kick and punt returners and long snapper and were 12th in my special-teams rankings last year.
With Penn State at 85 scholarships, its special-teams units (with better depth) have improved each year and was ranked 23rd in 2016. Penn State beat Ohio State last year on a blocked field goal attempt that was returned for the touchdown. Everyone is back this season, including kicker Tyler Davis (22 of 24 on field goal attempts with a long of 40 yards) and punter Blake Gillikin (37.8 net average).
Rocky Long had trouble finding a kicker his first few years but last season John Baron II made 21 of 23 attempts (long of 50 yards) and the Aztecs were eighth in my rankings. They bring in punterSteven Coutts, who had a 38.7 net average at Louisiana. Rashaad Pennyand Juwan Washington averaged 30.6 yards on kick returns with three touchdowns.
Florida State dropped to 50th in my rankings in 2016. PunterLogan Tyler had a 34.1-yard net average as a true freshman and should improve. Ricky Aguayo made 19 of 26 field goal attempts (long of 47 yards). The Seminoles lose their top kick returner (Kermit Whitfield) and punt returner (Jesus Wilson) but with all their elite recruits and coach Jimbo Fisher's history, this unit will be back near the top.
