Indiana Football Positional Preview: It Could Be a Mix-n-Match Affair on Special Teams

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

In order for the Indiana Hoosiers to get over the hump this season, they need to continue to improve on special teams. Last season, they were great in almost every aspect except kick return. This year the Hoosiers have to replace All-Big Ten kicker Griffin Oakes, which will be difficult. Along with finding a place kicker the Hoosiers must find a kick returner who can bring something, heck anything, to the table. So with William Inge taking over the full-time special teams coordinator duties, let’s take a look at the third unit of Indiana football.

Punter

The Hoosiers are in great shape at the punting position. Although Whitehead punted way too often and fans would rather see him on the bench, he became a weapon for IU in 2017. Behind him is the capable Drew Conrad.

Haydon Whitehead

Whitehead came to IU last year from Australia and had a spectacular redshirt sophomore campaign as he earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention and was on the Ray Guy Award Watch List. In 2017 he averaged 40.7 yards per punt while landing an impressive 33 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

In 2018, Whitehead finds himself on the Ray Guy Award Watch List again and is posed to have an even bigger year. He has added to his arsenal with a straight-on punt to go along with his rugby-style kick. He did have one punt blocked last season, but if he can keep the rush honest, that should not be an issue in 2018.

Drew Conrad

Conrad is the team’s back up punter. He has a solid leg and could fill in there if he is needed, hopefully not. However, he has made a name for himself as IU’s holder on field goals and extra points and was a part of the reason why Griffin Oakes had a major bounce back year in 2017.

Kicker

The kicker position is going to look different this year as head coach Tom Allen and special teams coordinator William Inge want to keep legs fresh, That means, IU will probably go with one player on kickoffs and another on field goal and extra points.

Charles Campbell

Campbell is a true freshman who came in as a highly-touted kicker. He played in the U.S. Army All-American game and was ranked a five-star player by Kohl’s. He will probably be IU’s field goal kicker when they play FIU. He has a good leg and has been solid in camp, the coaches may be right in trying to save his leg as he was unimpressive on kickoffs during the U.S. Army All-American game.

Logan Justus

The redshirt junior has not seen any game action. The left footed kicker has been working as both the field goal kicker and on kickoffs in fall camp. He has been solid, but struggles with consistency. On kickoffs, Justus has the ability to reach the end zone.

Jared Smolar

Smolar came to IU from Rutgers and hasn’t seen game action since 2016 when he played in three games and had 21 kickoffs. He is a kickoff specialist with a solid leg.

Long Snapper

Dan Godsil

Godsil is as good as they get at the long snapper position. He has played in 38 games in his IU career and has totaled nine special teams tackles. He made some waves on social media with his trick shots earlier in fall camp.

Punt Returner

J-Shun Harris brought life back to the punt return unit last season with a handful of big plays including two touchdowns. However, he got hurt again last year and while he is back with the team and looking good on offense, I don’t think IU will chance subjecting him to the shots that come with this position. Last season, a couple other Hoosiers also returned punts in his absence. Expect to see a rotation here based on what the Hoosiers need.

Luke Timian

I guess we are calling him ‘Big Tex’ now. Timian is as reliable a punt returner as you can get. He catches the ball and gets positive yards and while he isn’t as explosive as Harris, not many are, he did average 7.5 yards per return. It’s not the conservative choice, but he’s a player I would use if I needed to make sure the punt was fielded cleanly.

Whop Philyor

Philyor did not return a punt last season, he did get three shots on kickoffs though, but he is an intriguing option there. Philyor is an explosive option that, when in the open field can be a home run threat.

Reece Taylor

The most intriguing option at punt returner is Reece Taylor. A punt returner needs the ability to make the first defender miss and he has it. We’ll see if the staff elects to give him a shot early in the season to get his feet wet, but he’s the guy I’d use if I needed a big return.

Kick Returner

The Hoosiers were dreadful here a year ago as Devonte Williams frustrated fans with his lack of success. A new kickoff rule, stating players can fair catch kicks inside the 25-yard line and have it count as a touchback, will be a factor this season. Even with that, the Hoosiers need something out of this position. A good return game takes pressure off the offense and swings momentum.

Cole Gest

Gest is the logical choice here as the number one returner. He has the speed and strength to get through arm tackles and break loose. He has returned six kicks for 131 yards during his three seasons at IU. However, with the news about Morgan Ellison, he will probably be the starting running back so we’ll see if IU saves his legs for an increased work load.

NOTE: Before people go off on playing starters on special teams. STOP. Literally everyone plays starters on special teams because they need their best players to play there. It’s NOT a controversy, not even close.

Whop Philyor

Philyor averaged 22 yards per return on three attempts last season. Like we said above he has the home run ability that IU desperately needs.

Mike Majette

Majette is good when he gets the ball in space. He averaged 21 yards a return in 2015 and could be a nice addition to that position should he be given the chance.