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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 /
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Oct 29, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Keith Mixon (23) gets away from Samford Bulldogs defensive back Omari Williams (12) at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Keith Mixon (23) gets away from Samford Bulldogs defensive back Omari Williams (12) at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State has a lot of turnover on special teams. Primary kickoff returner Brandon Holloway and punt returner Fred Ross graduated. Kicker Westin Graves left football due to serious injuries. The team does return Logan Cooke at punter.

Cooke had a respectable 40-yard per punt average. Cooke’s best game in 2016 was against South Carolina where he kicked a season-best 68-yard punt and averaged 49.5 yard per punt.

While Brandon Holloway was the team’s primary kickoff returner, wide receiver Keith Mixon and wide receiver Malik Dear fielded enough kickoffs to be capable of stepping into the role. Mixon was significantly better in the role in 2016.

Related Story: SEC Football: Most important non-conference games for 2017

Donald Gray fielded two punt returns last season as a backup and should receive a chance to be the team’s primary punt returner in 2017.

At kicker, there are several options, although incoming freshman Tucker Day is the frontrunner. Sophomore Brad Wall and redshirt freshman Jace Christmann struggled mightily at the annual spring game.

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