Indiana Football Spring Special Teams Preview

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Hoosier Huddle Spring Practice Preview series continues as we take a look at Indiana’s special teams unit. It’s a unit that had some very strong parts as well as areas for improvement in 2020 and will have to replace punter Haydon Whitehead. The Hoosiers finished the year 25th in net field position rankings and fifth in field goal efficiency according to Footballoutsiders.com. However, the Hoosiers ranked 86th in kickoff return efficiency. The Hoosiers do have the majority of their special teamers back in 2021, so let’s take a look at the group heading into spring practice.

Place Kicker

Charles Campbell, RS Sophomore- Campbell used 2020 as his breakout party and had he kicked more field goals and fewer extra points he would have won the Big Ten Kicker of the Year. Instead, he was named Second-Team All-Big Ten. Campbell made 10-of-11 of his field goals including three from 50 or more yards. Campbell is a lock for the starting job and should find himself on some preseason award lists.

Kick-Off Specialist

Jared Smolar, Redshirt Senior- Smolar was Indiana’s main kickoff specialist in 2020 and has been kicking off for parts of the two seasons prior to 2020. Smolar ranked fifth in the Big Ten in touchback percentage in 2020 at 50-percent. Allen loves to keep kickers fresh, which is why there is a kickoff specialist. With a full 12-game season coming up, the Hoosiers need to build stamina in the kickoff game as well. It could be a situation like 2019 when Smolar and Nathanael Snyder split the duties. 

Chris Freeman, Freshman- Freeman is from Zionsville where he was an outstanding soccer player as he took home the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association’s Male Soccer Player of the Year, the Indiana Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors. He also kicked for the football team where he made 31-of-43 field goals and had a 78-percent touchback rate on kickoffs. He was a three-time All-State selection in football as well. Freeman kicked off once last season, but can use this spring to carve out a role as a kickoff specialist and potentially a backup for Campbell.

Punter

James Evans, Freshman- Evans enrolled this spring as part of the 2021 signing class. The Hoosiers tapped the ProKick Australia program again after Haydon Whitehead. Evans has a big leg, but has not played American Football. Evans needs to use spring practice to learn the nuances of the game. He has the ability to be a two-step punter and kick rugby style.

Chase Wyatt, Redshirt Sophomore- Wyatt backed up Whitehead last season and earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades. Wyatt was named Noblesville High School’s Special Teams Player of the Year for his final two seasons. He has a strong leg and experience. Spring practice will be a great chance for Wyatt to stake claim to the starting punting position.

Asher King, Redshirt Freshman- King has been with the Hoosiers for two seasons and has the benefit of experience. King went to Heritage Christian ad is from Westfield, Indiana. He was a two-time all-state selection and averaged 41 yards per punt. Like Wyatt, this spring is his chance to make a name for himself.

 Kick Return

Jacolby Hewitt, RS Sophomore- Hewitt led the Hoosiers with four kickoff return attempts, however, they did not get very far as he averaged 14.75 yards per return. With the potential of a bigger role on offense in 2021, he could see his time as the returner diminished, especially with other options presenting themselves.

Reese Taylor, Junior- Taylor was IU’s primary punt returner in 2020 and had some success. He did return one kickoff for 21 yards. With D.J. Matthews potentially taking punt return reps away from Taylor, his role here could expand.

David Ellis, Sophomore- Ellis seems like a no-brainer to be used in this spot as he has the ability to make people miss in space. His lone kick return in 2020 went for 25 yards, but he was the main returner in 2019 and averaged 20.7 yards per return. An injury in camp probably impacted his production there. A healthy Ellis is probably IU’s best option here.

Punt Return

Reese Taylor, Junior- Taylor had some success as Indiana’s punt returner last year. Averaging 8.1 yards per return. He’s a great athlete and has the discipline to be a game changer at the position. He will have to hold off D.J. Matthews for the majority of opportunities. 

D.J. Matthews, RS Senior- Matthews is coming in as a grad transfer from Florida State where he showed elite skills as a punt returner. We’ll talk about this more in our receivers preview later in the week, but Matthews will also be learning a new offense. He does have a chance to step into the role Whop Philyor vacated. He needs to keep his skills sharp, but should be in the battle for the top punt returner.

Long Snapper

Sean Wracher, Sophomore- Wracher has been as consistent as anyone in the country at the position. He was named a 4th team All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele. He’s cemented his role as the starter from day one. He has played in all 21 games since he joined IU in 2019.

Jake Wellmann, Freshman- Wellmann will back up Wratcher. The Warren Central graduate was honorable mention All-State and ranked the 19th best long snapper in the country by Kohl’s Kicking and Snapping.