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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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Apr 22, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs black team wide receiver Terry Godwin (5) runs against the red team after a catch during the second half during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Red defeated Black 25-22. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs black team wide receiver Terry Godwin (5) runs against the red team after a catch during the second half during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Red defeated Black 25-22. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia faces multiple question marks on special teams.

Last season’s kicker Rodrigo Blankenship had a very public spat for not receiving a scholarship. The threat of possibly losing Blankenship prompted head coach Kirby Smart to bring in Wofford transfer David Marvin, who has three years’ experience kicking at the FCS level. Marvin finished his Wofford career with the most field goals in school history. One strong potential scenario is Georgia begins the season with Blankenship attempting field goals of 40 yards or less and Marvin attempting long-range field goals and handling kickoff duties.

Smart also reeled in a transfer at the punter position. Last season’s starter, Marshall Long, required offseason surgery on his knee. After averaging 46.5 yards per punt in high school, Long’s transition to college was only so-so. He averaged 38.7 yards per punt in 2016. Nizialek averaged 44.8 yards per punt at Columbia, which, admittedly, is quite different from kicking for Georgia in the SEC. It’s difficult to say who will win the job, but Long, if healthy, has more experience in the program, and thus, seems the more likely choice.

As for kick and punt returners, Georgia is left with a gaping hole because Isaiah McKenzie was selected by the Broncos in the NFL Draft and Reggie Davis graduated.

Incoming freshman D’Andre Swift will probably be used sparingly as a running back with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel ahead of him on the depth chart. That said, getting a limited number of carries and helping the team with return duties might be the perfect way to break the true freshman in to the program.

Related Story: SEC Football: Each team's most important player for 2017

One possible scenario is Swift and Terry Godwin serve as the team’s primary kickoff returners, while Mecole Hardman serves as the team’s primary punt returner. Hardman is quite possibly the best athlete Georgia has had since Champ Bailey.

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