Trending
Position: Specialists
Following is the second in a series previewing Penn State's spring practice:
Returning starter(s): Riley Thompson is back as the team's starting punter, while Tyler Duzansky started all 13 games as the team's long snapper. Gabriel Nwosu is a backup punter, but he handled the team's kickoff duties all of last season. Nicholas Singleton was the team's primary kick returner, and Kaden Saunders split punt returning duties with Daequan Hardy, who is now gone.
Key players lost: Hardy had two punt return touchdowns last season, and Alex Felkins took over as the starting placekicker in the second game after a tough first game against West Virginia for Sander Sahaydak.
Statistically speaking: Felkins was 19 for 24 in field goals last season after transferring in from Columbia for his final season of eligibility. Sahaydak went 0-for-2 against West Virginia, both from inside of 40 yards, and never got another try the rest of the season. ... Thompson had a long punt of 56 yards last season, and had 17 punts land inside the 20-yard line. ... Singleton and Saunders had long returns of 51 and 37 yards, respectively.
Emerging newcomers: Ryan Barker is listed as a kicker and a punter, while Chase Meyer is also a young kicker in the program. ... Thompson will be joined by Barker, Nwosu, and Mitchell Groh as the team's punters. ... Duzansky is joined by Blaise Sokach-Minnick, Will Patton, and Andrew Dufault as the team's long snappers.
Analysis: Sahaydak will presumably take the placekicking duties once again. He still earned a few PAT attempts throughout last season. ... Thompson, a former Australian rules football player, was a good addition as he transferred in from Florida Atlantic last season. ... Singleton and Saunders are good bets for the team's kick and punt returners, but don't be surprised if Singleton doesn't take every kickoff throughout the season.
Friday: Running backs
-- Andy Stine