2021 IU Special Teams Preview: A Mix of Veterans and Rookies Has the Third Phase Ready to Roll

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs

The final installment of the Hoosier Huddle preseason position previews are the special teams. IU brings back most of their starters on these units and add impact players in the positions they lost their starters from 2020. Punter Haydon Whitehead and returner Whop Philyor left to chase their NFL dreams, but the replacements have the talent to fill the gaps. The Hoosiers were excellent in nearly ever phase of special teams, including their “Crimson Watch” punt coverage team. Anyways let’s start with who the Hoosiers have coming back at kicker.

Place Kicker

Charles Campbell, RS Junior- Campbell had a break out season in 2020 going 10-of-11 on field goals including three from 50 or more yards out. He’s primed to build on his second-team All-Big Ten selection from a year ago and capture the Big Ten Kicker of the Year Award.

Campbell’s strong and accurate leg gives the Hoosiers a chance to put points on the board from nearly anywhere inside the opponents 40-yard line, which gives the offense some cushion.

Kickoff Specialist

Jared Smolar, Redshirt Senior+- Smolar came to IU in 2017 from Rutgers. He has been the kickoff specialist for the Hoosiers for the past three seasons. During that time he has kicked off in 30 games with 64 of his 132 kickoffs going for touchbacks while only having one go out of bounds.

Chris Freeman, Redshirt Freshman- Freeman is the other kickoff specialist and could be able to split time with Smolar after getting his first taste of Big Ten football in 2020. IU head coach and special teams coordinator Kasey Teegardin have rotated kick off specialists in the past to preserve leg strength over the entire season. With 12 scheduled games in 2021, this should be the plan again. Freeman will also serve as the back up place kicker

Kick Returner

David Ellis, Junior- Ellis is dynamic in space and the ideal candidate to return kicks. For whatever the reason is, Ellis and the Hoosiers in general have struggled in this phase of the game since 2012. Ellis has returned 29 kicks during his IU career for an average of 20.8 yards per return and a long of 39 yards.

Jacolby Hewitt, Redshirt Junior-

Hewitt filled in at returner last season when Ellis was hurt. Coming off his own injury, Hewitt returned four kickoffs for 59 yards, just a 14.9 yard per return average. With another full-year of recovery, rehab and practice Hewitt should be more explosive and could give the Hoosiers a good second option in the return game.

Punter

James Evans, Freshman- The Hoosiers went back to ProKick Australia for New Zealand punter James Evans to replace Haydon Whitehead. Evans is a two-step punter with a huge leg. However, he has never played American football before. The Hoosiers have been practicing situations for Evans to get used to the nuances of the sport and according to IU head coach Tom Allen was practicing punting in full pads on his own in the stadium on summer nights.

Chase Wyatt, Redshirt Sophomore- Wyatt will backup Evans and is ready to step into the role should the Hoosiers need it. He too has a strong leg. Wyatt will also serve as the team’s holder on field goals and extra points.

Punt Returner

D.J. Matthews, Graduate+- Matthews was a huge addition out of the transfer portal. He will likely take the role of Whop Philyor in the IU offense and hopefully add a jolt to the IU punt return game that has been dormant since J-Shun Harris was fielding punts. Matthews ranks 10th at Florida State with 582 career punt return yards on 56 returns. He can score from anywhere on the field as well.

Reece Taylor, Senior- Taylor was an All-Big Ten selection at punt returner in 2020, so it may be hard to unseat him. At worst it gives the Hoosiers two very solid options at the position and could prevent over usage of any one player. Taylor averaged 8.1 yards per return last year and is one of the better cornerbacks in the conference.

Long Snapper

Sean Wracher, Junior- One of the best long snappers in the country is back for the Hoosiers and it will help continue the success of the place kicking game. He’s played in 21 games and was an All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele.