Hoosiers Spring Football Preview: Special Teams Must Find Consistency

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana specials teams units had their massively bright spots in 2022, however they also had spectacular failures as well. The key for the Hoosiers on special teams this spring will be to find consistency and replacements at two key spots.

In 2022, the Hoosiers found some weapons on special teams that will play a big role in 2023. The flashiest is kick returner Jaylin Lucas who earned All-American honors after returning two kicks for a touchdown. The other was punter James Evans who became much more consistent punting the ball and put 30 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line. Both will be very important to IU’s chance in 2023. Sean Wracher returns as one of the best long snappers in the country as well.

The failures came in many facets of this phase of the game. The Hoosiers allowed two punt blocks and three blocked field goals. All five of the blocks either gave the opponents points or took points off the board for IU. Chris Freeman, IU’s kickoff specialist also put two kicks out of bounds and failed three onside kick attempts.

The Hoosiers have two vital roles to fill before the season starts. The first is at place kicker where Charles Campbell leaves a void despite late season inconsistencies. The second is at punt returner where the Hoosiers struggled the last two seasons after D.J. Matthews got hurt. Also, while not the spiciest of position battles, the Hoosiers need to find a consistent kickoff specialist.

The Starters

James Evans, Punter- Evans may have been the most improved player on the team in 2022. In just his second year playing American football, Evans averaged 44.3 yards per punt (41.9 in ’22) with 24 punts over 50 yards (12 in ’22) while pinning the opponent inside the 20-yard line 30 times (13 in ’22). Where Evans can improve in 2023 is getting punts off quicker, avoiding blocks. He should be a candidate for All-Big Ten if his upward trend continues.

Sean Wracher, Long Snapper- Wracher goes unnoticed by a lot of people because if snaps are on target, nobody really talks about the long snapper. Wracher is a four-time All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele (loves long snappers) and has played in 45 career games for the Hoosiers. His consistent snaps will help the transition to a new place kicker in 2023.  

Jaylin Lucas, Kick Returner- Lucas gives IU fans hope for the 2023 season. He is a game changer on kickoff returns, which IU will have to adjust for as teams will not kick to him very often. He will obviously be the starter here, but IU will have to get creative to get the ball in his hands.

Positions Up For Grabs

Field Goal Kicker, Chris Freeman vs. Nicolas Radicic- Freeman has an excellent opportunity to prove he can be the field goal kicker for IU this spring. Incoming freshman Nicolas Radicic is not on campus yet, leaving Freeman, and maybe Alejandro Quintero, to battle it out during the spring. Freeman has not attempted a field goal in a game, but has two extra points to his name.

Punt Returner, Jaylin Lucas (?)- To get the ball in his hands Tom Allen said in his spring practice preview that Lucas will be used as a punt returner. It is much harder to punt away from people than it is on kickoffs. Punt return opportunities have been few and far between at times for IU and the Hoosiers really haven’t had a consistent returner since J-Shun Harris.

IU could try other receivers like Kamryn Perry or Omar Cooper at the position to protect Lucas from taking shots on both kick and punt returns but expect Lucas to be back there if IU needs a big play.

Final Spring Analysis

Spring football is the perfect time to clean up the special teams units and try and find players who can fill roles like punt returner. The Hoosiers have started making game changing plays on special teams but need to continue to avoid the critical errors. While it is doubtful that IU will go full speed on things like kick off and kick returns there is still work to be done with film study and in practice that will help IU take the next step.