Sizing Up The Big 12 - Special Teams

Chris Anderson
3 hours ago


Continuing our annual series of summer evaluations on where WVU stacks up with the rest of the Big12, EerSports compares the league’s special teams.

O'Toole is one of the best punters in the Big12.

The Situation in Morgantown

Nicholas O'Toole is back at punter. Josh Lambert is back at kicker.

Those two sentences alone should put West Virginia in the upper half of the league with their special teams play. That's the problem, though - there is an entire other half of special teams, and the Mountaineers have really struggled with it the last couple of seasons.

That other half would be the return game, and despite all the talented receivers and running backs West Virginia has had, there have been more bad plays than big plays when the Mountaineers are receiving a punt or kick.

I expect that to change with Mario Alford back there, though, as he showed in the spring game, taking the opening kickoff to the house for a touchdown. He and Wendell Smallwood should get the majority of the opportunities returning the ball, but look for newcomer Dravon Henry to make an impact.

West Virginia also returns long snapper John DePalma and holder Michael Molinari.

The Situation Elsewhere

Oklahoma has a potential All-American kicker in Michael Hunnicutt, but questions elsewhere. TCU returns their entire special teams foursome - kicker, punter, and both returners - but none are as electric as some others in the conference, like Tyler Lockett, who will light things up for Kansas State.

Baylor has Spencer Roth, who is an outstanding punter, and the athletes to help in the return game, but nothing special at kicker. Oklahoma State newcomer Tyreek Hill may not have taken a college snap, yet, but he could step right in and be one of the most dynamic returners in the entire Big 12.

Texas and Texas Tech are searching for answers at a lot of positions, especially the Longhorns who lost All-American Anthony Fera, who handled both the punting and kicking duties.

Where does WVU Stack Up?

If this were just punting and kicking (and maybe coverage), West Virginia would be tops in the conference. There's not a better punter-kicker combo in the league right now than O'Toole and Lambert.

However, while Alford looked impressive in the spring game, the Mountaineers have not proven they can make plays since Tavon Austin left, and have also struggled at times to cover some of these excellent punts and kicks.

Because of that, I would put the Mountaineers No. 3 in the conference, right behind TCU and Baylor. Kansas State is right there with them, solely because of Tyler Lockett. Oklahoma is nipping at their heels, too, but then there is a pretty big drop off for Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Kansas.
Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson

Will be rooting for him.

Thanks Buddies.