Saturday Blitz
Fansided

SEC Football: Ranking the top special teams units for 2017

By Erich Hilkert

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
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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
15 of 15
Next
Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators place kicker Eddy Pineiro (15) kicks a field goal in the second half as Florida Gators punter Johnny Townsend (19) holds against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Raymond James Stadium. Florida Gators won 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Florida Gators place kicker Eddy Pineiro (15) kicks a field goal in the second half as Florida Gators punter Johnny Townsend (19) holds against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Raymond James Stadium. Florida Gators won 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Florida Gators

Kicker Eddy Pineiro and punter Johnny Townsend are the best special teams players in the SEC outside the state of Alabama.

Pineiro probably has the strongest leg in the league, having led FBS with a net 64.8 yard average on kickoffs.

Townsend was an All-SEC second team selection and one can make a compelling argument he is the best punter in the SEC based on his FBS-leading 47.9-yard average. Together, Pineiro and Townsend make up the best combo in the SEC.

Florida does not look especially strong at kick returner or punt returner. Antonio Callaway is a solid wide receiver and outstanding athlete. However, he struggled to hold on to the ball as a punt returner in 2016. Also, Brandon Powell excels at wide receiver but averaged unimpressive numbers as a kick returner. Callaway returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Missouri, so maybe head coach Jim McElwain will use him exclusively as a kick returner.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early edition

Do not be surprised if McElwain uses Kadarius Toney as the team’s punt returner. While most expect either incoming transfer Malik Zaire or redshirt Freshman Feleipe Franks to win the starting quarterback job, Toney earned buzz at the spring game and may see time as a Wildcat quarterback.

Home/SEC