2022 IUFB Positional Previews: Special Teams

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

For teams like Indiana who are trying to spring upsets or get back on track special teams plays a vital role. Just ask Scott Frost at Nebraska who onsides kicked his way onto a seat hotter than the sun in Week 0.

Last season, IU was either great or terrible in the special teams department. Placekicker Charles Campbell was one of the best kickers in the Big Ten early on but, like the rest of the team, tanked in the second half. IU had little-to-no return game after D.J. Matthews and Reese Taylor got injured and Punter James Evans was very inconsistent.

The Hoosiers need this unit to be improved in 2022 if they want to get this thing back on the right path. With much of the same cast returning, how does IU do that? Simple, play better. Here is what IU’s special teams could look like in 2022.

The Starters

Charles Campbell, Placekicker- Campbell was on the money in 2020 hitting 10-of-11 field goals and it looked like he was building on that to start the 2021 season as started the year hitting seven in a row. However, he ended the season making just 6 of his final 11 attempts. Campbell has a big leg and has hit four attempts from 50 or more yards, but his fall off last year is a little concerning. Is it a Griffin Oakes type funk, or was it just when the team fell off a cliff he did as well? Time will tell.

The Hoosiers need him to rediscover his grove and become the weapon he was in 2020, when all IU needed to do was get inside the 40-yard line to be in range.

James Evans, Punter- Evans first season playing American football can be summed up in one word: Inconsistent. Evans averaged 41.9 yards per punt last year, which on the surface, is fine. However, that was due to him booming one over 50 yards and shanking another.

Evans has a huge leg, there’s no doubt about that. He needs to get more comfortable and consistent with his drops and his punts. Out of 69 punts last season, 17 were fair caught, 13 were downed inside the 20-yard line, 12 went over 50 yards and four went into the end zone for touchbacks.

Sean Wracher, Long Snapper- Wracher is one of the best at his positions in the country. His snaps on punts and field goals are consistent and true, which helps the whole process. He will occasionally get down field to make a tackle as well.

D.J. Matthews, Punt Returner- Matthews is back healthy and that is great news for IU. Matthews has shown to be a game changer in the punt return game as well. An extra first down gained in the return game can be the difference between a win and a loss in the Big Ten. 

David Holloman, Kick Return- With David Ellis’ career cut short due to injury, Holloman steps in to the starting role. IU has several players who could fit in here, but Holloman is speedy and can get through the garbage. He returned three kicks last season with a long of 32 yards.

Position Battles

Chris Freeman vs. Alejandro Quintero, Kickoff Specialist- The Hoosiers will again go with a kickoff specialist in 2022. With Jared Smolar graduated, the Hoosiers need someone to fill that role. Freeman kicked off four times last year and showed flashes, but was inconsistent reaching the end zone. Quintero comes in from Grace Community College where he took care of punting and kicking duties. He has a big leg and the ability to do a little bit of everything gives IU some roster flexibility. I would expect to see both be given an opportunity to kick off during the season.

The Back Ups

Chris Freeman, Placekicker- Freeman will back up Charles Campbell and Quintero could kick field goals in a pinch as well. The Zionsville product has two extra points to his name. 

Alejandro Quintero, Punter- Quintero was brought in to push Evans to be better. He can kick and punt, which is a plus when IU travels for in conference games and travel rosters are limited. While Evans gets the nod at starting, Quintero will be there waiting if Evans struggles.

Jaylin Lucas, Punt Return- If IU wants to limit D.J. Matthews’ exposure to hits in the return game, Lucas is the perfect back up. IU wants to get the ball in his hands. He’s a quick twitch player that is perfect in this role.

Various, Kick Returner- IU lists Shaun Shivers as the backup kick returner, which would be awesome to see. However, he is probably the starter at running back and do you really want to expose him to hit more than necessary. IU has several other options. Jaylin Lucas, Kam Perry and maybe even Omar Cooper could be used in this role. Each have speed and the ability to get up field. Could it be Shivers? Yes, but I think only in an emergency.

Kurtis Robinson, Long Snapper- If Wracher gets dinged, Robinson is the back up. He is a walk-on from Georgia who has not seen any game action yet.