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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Sep 10, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Johnathon Johnson (12) returns a kick during the first half against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Faurot Field. Missouri won 61-21. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Missouri Tigers

Missouri had mixed results on special teams in 2016.

Kicker Tucker McCann only made 6-of-12 field goals and missed four extra points. McCann had strong numbers in terms of handling kickoff duties, as 65.6 percent of his kickoffs went for touchbacks. Place kicker is a big question mark heading into the 2017 season.

On the other hand, punter Corey Fatony had a strong season, averaging 43.9 yards per punt. Fatony had his strongest game against Georgia, averaging 50.4 yards per punt and netting a long punt of 60 yards.

Wide receiver Johnathon Johnson was also a strength for the special teams unit, scoring a 54-yard punt return and finishing the season with a 14-yard per punt average.

Alex Ross was the team’s primary kickoff returner, although Johnson received 10 kickoff returns, along with wide receiver Damarea Crockett. Johnson and Crockett will likely be the two primary kickoff returners in 2017.

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