Kickers
Photo by Frank Fortune, Georgia Southern AthleticsTyler Bass, Georgia Southern: Tyler Bass is the best kicker in the class. After an impressive collegiate career, Bass earned himself an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and is firmly on the radar of scouts. Where kickers get drafted varies from year to year, but Bass will most definitely hear his name called at some point before the draft is over. Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia: Rodrigo Blankenship was probably the most popular kicker in the country for the last few years. His rec spec goggles and clutch kicks really put him on the map for scouts and fans. If he doesn’t get drafted in the later rounds, he won’t have to wait long to be picked up as a UDFA and instantly become a fan favorite for whichever team he lands on. JJ Molson, UCLA Cooper Rothe, Wyoming Ricky Aguayo, Florida State: Brother of Ricky. I don’t expect this Aguayo to go in the second round, but hey I guess we’ll see. Punters Photo by Kevin Abele, Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesBraden Mann, Texas A&M: As the top punter in this class, Braden Mann will hope some team uses the same draft capital on him as the 49ers used on Mitch Wishnowsky. The 4th round is probably a bit ambitious for him, but he will likely be the first specialist taken. Michael Turk, Arizona State: No, Michael Turk is not just a workout warrior after putting up unbelievable bench numbers up at the combine. He’s also a pretty solid punter. He is related to Matt Turk, former NFL punter, and the league seems to really like players with NFL bloodlines. Joseph Charlton, South Carolina Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse Tommy Townsend, Florida: The Townsend brothers both came through Florida and made their mark at the punter position. Townsend may not be the best punter in the class, but is fairly athletic. The fact that his brother Johnny also has experience may be enough to get him picked up as a UDFA. Alex Pechin, Bucknell Cody Grace, Arkansas State Corliss Waitman, South Alabama Blake Gillikin, Penn State Arryn Siposs, Auburn Long Snappers Photo by Wesley Winterink, Iowa State AthleticsSteve Wirtel, Iowa State: Friend of the site Steve Wirtel is the best long snapper in this class. He’s gained some attention after a Senior Bowl invite and the fastest 40 ever at the combine by a long snapper. You can also add his win in the Whole Nine Sports Cup Pong tournament to his resume. Wirtel could impact the draft as a late round pick. Blake Ferguson, LSU: Brother of NFL long snapper Jake Ferguson, Blake was also at the Senior Bowl and has long snapping ability in his blood. Look for him to challenge for a starting long snapper spot this summer. Fullbacks Photo by Matt Gade, The Daily RepublicMikey Daniel, South Dakota State: Mikey Daniel looks to be a guy that could be picked up after the draft because of his physicality at the position. Even though he may not be drafted, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a 53 man roster because of what else he can do on special teams. Very versatile player. Brian Herrien, Georgia: Brian Herrien wasn’t as highly touted as some of Georgia’s other running backs, but he’s worked his way up to a very important role in his senior year. Herrien runs so hard and looks to put defenders on the ground and because of this, I think he projects well as a fullback at the next level. Shoutout to @blanche91090225 on Twitter for putting me on to Herrien’s transition to FB. Charlie Woerner, Georgia: Herrien’s teammate was actually recruited to Georgia as a wide receiver. After putting on some weight, he transitioned to tight end. With that background, you’d expect him to be a better receiver than blocker, but when he’s playing in line he bullies defenders in the run game. That’s why I think a move to fullback could be in his future. Brady Ross, Iowa Nick Ralston, UL Lafayette Case Robinson, Lamar Dayton Furuta, Hawaii Returners Photo by Matt Riley, UVA AthleticsKJ Hamler, Penn State Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State Antonio Gibson, Memphis Devin Duvernay, Texas Maurice Ffrench, Pitt Jalen Reagor, TCU Joe Reed, Virginia: In my opinion, Joe Reed is the best return man in this entire class. Reed has a thick frame to break tackles, but most importantly has the speed to pull away. He’s also a competent receiver. His ability as a returner and after the catch should get him drafted. Isaiah Wright, Temple Adrian Killins Jr., UCF Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State: Evans put himself on the map as a returner and is also a legit RB prospect. He had some huge returns in big games. He has some serious speed and ran a 4.41 at the combine. John Hightower, Boise State Tra Minter, South Alabama: Tra Minter has NFL talent and some serious speed. He had to go the JUCO route, but that’s no issue at this point. If you can play, the league will find you. Minter will start out his career as a return man. Raymond Calais, UL Lafayette JJ Taylor, Arizona Kirk Merritt, Arkansas State KJ Osborn, Miami CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan James Proche, SMU Tyler Simmons, Georgia Grayland Arnold, Baylor Marquez Callaway, Tennessee Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne Sewo Olonilua, TCU Brian Cole II, Mississippi State Denzel Goolsby, Kansas State D’Angelo Amos, James Madison Special Teamers (Punt/Kickoff Coverage, FG Block, etc.) Photo by Brett Rojo, University of Tulsa AthleticsMichael Pittman Jr., USC Chase Claypool, Notre Dame Tyler Simmons, Georgia: Simmons also made the returners list. He also started multiple games for the Bulldogs at receiver this year. He wears so many different hats and that’s why I think he can make a 53 man roster and contribute on special teams early on. JaMycal Hasty, Baylor Tanner Muse, Clemson: Great teams play some of their best players on special teams as much as they can. You saw this in previous years at Clemson with Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence playing key roles. You’ll also notice plenty of other Clemson players on this list. Muse was a special teams contributor early on in his career and made a few big plays his freshman year in the National Championship against Alabama. He then surprised everyone by running a 4.43 at the combine, which only helps his case. Muse could also serve as a safety or WILL linebacker. Khaleke Hudson, Michigan Reggie Robinson II, Tulsa: Out of anyone in this class, the player I’m way higher on than most is Tulsa’s Reggie Robinson. Robinson is a very athletic, long and physical corner. At Tulsa, he ended his career with 4 blocked kicks. Geno Stone, Iowa AJ Terrell, Clemson K’Von Wallace, Clemson Isaiah Simmons, Clemson Henry Ruggs III, Alabama Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech: Before coming into a starting role at linebacker where he earned a Senior Bowl invite, Brooks played over 300 snaps on special teams. His hard work, experience, and athleticism makes him easy to identify as a guy that will contribute on special teams early on. Mason Gray, Robert Morris Mantriel Reaves, Towson Hunter Register, Southern Shaun Bradley, Temple Josiah Scott, Michigan State Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn Daniel Thomas, Auburn Davion Taylor, Colorado Evan Weaver, Cal Tyrie Cleveland, Florida Zack Baun, Wisconsin Jaron Bryant, Fresno State Antoine Brooks Jr., Maryland Omar Bayless, Arkansas State James Lynch, Baylor Van Jefferson, Florida
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