SEC Football: Ranking the top special teams units for 2017

Sep 1, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks place kicker Elliott Fry (29) kicks the winning field goal against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. South Carolina won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide punter JK Scott (15) kicks the ball during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama has the best punter in the SEC in JK Scott. Scott earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2016 after averaging 47.2 yards per punt, ranking third in the nation. Scott’s punts travelled 50 yards or more 39 percent of the time.

The Crimson Tide faces more uncertainty at kicker, where freshman Joseph Bulovas is the strong favorite to win the job. Bulovas has an impressive high school resume and a three-star rating to accompany it, but kicking at Alabama will be vastly different.

Trevon Diggs took over the punt returner duties last season after Eddie Jackson suffered a season-ending injury. He didn’t excel in the role, but he did excel at kick returner.

Expect Diggs and B.J. Emmons to be the team’s primary kick returners. Xavian Marks had less than half the opportunities afforded to Diggs, but he posted a 21-yard average on punt returns. Expect Marks to be given a shot at earning the primary punt returner spot.

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