Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Hoosiers special teams unit could be one of the best in the Big Ten in 2023 if coordinator Kasey Teegardin can put all the pieces together. The Hoosiers have some potentially great pieces at every position of this phase of the game headlined by All-American kick returner Jaylin Lucas.

IU is the type of program where special teams needs to be a net positive. While they have the talent, there are areas that need to be cleaned up, like protection on punts and field goals.

Punting

James Evans, Junior

Evans is currently IU’s career leader in punting average. He has a huge leg and his sophomore season showed what kind of weapon he could become. In 2022 he put 30 punts inside the 20-yard line and 24 punts of over 50 yards. However, two punts were blocked and one helped Nebraska gain momentum and ultimately win a game.

There is only so much Evans can improve and Hoosier fans would be happy if they see more of him as a holder than a punter. However, if IU is going to punt, they have an All-Big Ten caliber punter.

Alejandro Quintero, RS Sophomore

Quintero can punt, handle kickoffs and serve as the emergency field goal kicker. He only took one kickoff a season ago but should be ready to help in anyway possible. Having a backup who can handle all three duties helps the roster management as well.

Place Kicking

Chris Freeman, RS Sophomore

Freeman handled the kickoff duties for the Hoosiers in 2022. While he was solid for most of the season, he did put a couple kicks out of bounds in key situations. If Freeman can increase his touchback percentage and keep the ball inbounds he will have a very good season.

Freeman has been battling for the field goal kicking job as well in 2023, but that competition is wide open.

Nicolas Radicic, Freshman

The Hoosiers struggled in the spring scrimmage hitting field goals and it looked like the five-star freshman from Texas was going to just have to show up in fall camp to win the job. However, Radicic did not kick in the first fall scrimmage as he was battling an injury and had not taken a firm grip on the job yet. It would be a shock if he’s not the field goal kicker on opening weekend, however it is surprising the battle for this job lasted this long.

Kick Return

Jaylin Lucas, Sophomore

Lucas is a showstopper and teams will be very careful kicking him the ball. IU will have to do a good job scheming up opportunities to get the ball in his hands. Some teams may want to test fate, but if he gets off to a hot start the ball will not come near him.

Omar Cooper, RS Freshman

Cooper was the kick returner the first four games for IU in 2022, a decision that may have backfired. The Lawrence North product has had an outstanding fall camp and could be used in the backup role behind, or maybe even next to, Lucas.

David Holloman, RS Sophomore

Holloman came to IU with top-end speed and one would hope that could translate to returning kicks. Holloman is also a bigger back who could be used as a blocking back on kick return in addition to the returner on the opposite side of Lucas (Josh Henderson filled this role last year).

Punt Return

Jaylin Lucas, Sophomore

It’s very tempting to just throw Lucas back to return punts, but it is a unique skill set and it exposes the player to even more hits. IU lost D.J. Matthews in back-to-back years with injuries on punt returns. This could be a spot role for Lucas.

DeQuece Carter, RS Senior

The sure handed wide receiver could be a good fit at punt return. He’s mature enough to know what to do, which was an issue with Connor Delp last year.

Long Snapper

Sean Wracher, RS Senior

Wracher may be the least talked about player on this unit and that’s a good thing. Anytime the long snapper comes up it is usually not for good reasons. Wracher is one of the top long snappers in the country.

Kurtis Robinson, RS Sophomore

Robinson will again backup Wracher and get to learn from one of the best at their position in the Big Ten. Unless there is an injury Robinson may not see the field again this year, however with Wracher graduating Robinson could use some game experience.

The Huddle

2023 Position Preview: Jaylin Lucas Headlines Talented Special Teams Unit