SEC special teams facing mixed bag in 2014

One definition of special is something designed or organized for a particular purpose or occasion.
 
As it relates to special teams and the Southeastern Conference, that occasion often has the ability to make or break a team’s season.
 
Ask Nick Saban.
 
We broke down the conference’s special teams units to find out which schools have the players that are ready to perform — and which ones may be better off avoiding the spotlight.
 
1. Texas A&M. The Aggies may have the most potential in their collection of returning special teams talent. P Drew Kaser, who is sure to be in the running for the Ray Guy award this year, is back after averaging over 47 yards last year. Former MLS goalkeeper Josh Lambo will also reprise his role after making 80 percent of his field goals in 2013. Trey Williams, always a threat, will return kicks.
 
2. Missouri. With every special teams starter from 2013 returning, the Tigers have an opportunity to improve on a mediocre showing from last year. Junior K Andrew Baggett set a school record with five field goals against Florida last October. A return to 2012 All-SEC form by return threat Marcus Murphy would be a huge boost.
 
3. Florida. As the top kick returner in school history, sixth–year senior Andre Debose has plenty of experience. However, he’s trying to come back from a torn ACL that forced him to miss the 2013 season. The Gators look to improve at both aspects on the kicking front after finishing 11th and 14th in the SEC in punting and field goal average a season ago. CB Vernon Hargreaves will return punts.
 
4. South Carolina. The worst punting team in the SEC might retain that title if Tyler Hull does not improve his 37.8 yard average. Beyond that, the Gamecocks' special teams are solid. K Elliott Fry, a walk-on last season, is back after converting 83.3 percent of his field goal attempts. Sophomore Pharoh Cooper is back deep to return kickoffs and punts.
 
5. Alabama. The Tide must replace stellar punter Cody Mandell and inconsistent K Cade Foster. It appears true freshman JK Scott will take over for Mandell, who led the team to the second-best punting average in the nation a season ago. Scott and third-year sophomore Adam Griffith will be the two kicking options. Christion Jones is among the nation’s most electrifying return men.
 
6. Georgia. The Bulldogs biggest concern in special teams is shoring up botched punt returns and snaps that cost them at least twice a season ago. New co-special teams coach Mike Ekeler has one of the best kickers in the nation in Marshall Morgan, who led Georgia to a top-10 kicking ranking last year. Senior Adam Erickson beat out fellow senior Collin Barber for the starting punter role after showing improved consistency in the spring.
 
7. LSU. Return man extraordinaire Odell Beckham has to be replaced. That duty likely will fall to the duo of Terrence Magee and Travin Dural. Outside of that, the Tigers return a top-five kicking unit that connected on nearly 93 percent of its attempts last year. Australian P Jamie Keehn recorded 10 punts over 50 yards and averaged 41 yards.
 
8. Ole Miss. Gary Wunderlich is the nation’s No. 1 kicking recruit. He’ll be thrown straight into the fire. With the departures of both the starting kicker and punter, Wunderlich has as much collegiate experience as any kicker on the roster. Jaylen Walton, who has impressed in his first two seasons, is the primary option for kick returns.
 
9. Kentucky. New special teams coach Craig Naviar has made sure that optimism and energy won’t be lacking this fall. Still, the Wildcats need a reliable kick returner. Seniors Demarco Robinson and Javess Blue could fill that role. Two-year starting P Landon Foster returns alongside talented freshman K Austin MacGinnis.
 
10. Vanderbilt. Kick returner Darrius Sims and punt returner C.J Duncan appear to be set. The rest of the specialist roles are up for grabs. The kicking job may be redshirt freshman Tommy Openshaw’s to lose, but Taylor Hudson and Colby Cooke may vie for the punter job until the season opener.
 
11. Arkansas. Bret Bielema feels confident with a proven punter in the ambidextrous Sam Irwin-Hall and kick returner Korliss Marshall, who took an Auburn kick back 87 yards for a TD last season. That confidence wavers on punt returns. No clear option has stepped forward. High school All-American K Cole Hedlund will replace four-year starter Zach Hocker.
 
12. Auburn. Chris Davis’s 109-yard return and the most indelible image of the 2013 SEC season will remain with Auburn fans forever. But Davis is gone. So too are K Cody Parkey and P Steven Clark. The Tigers look to redshirt freshmen to handle kicking duties and will narrow return candidates as the season approaches.
 
13. Tennessee. When Michael Palardy graduated the Vols lost their MVP, punter and kicker. A likely successor is Derrick Brodus, who tied a school record with 17 points in a 2012 game. He’ll have to beat out sophomore George Bullock. Matt Darr, who punted in 2011, had the edge on the job leaving the spring.
 
14. Mississippi State. Last year’s 47.6 percent field goal success rate was better than just three teams in the country. Combine that futility with 13th rankings in SEC punting and punt returns and you get an idea of the current state of Dan Mullen’s special teams. Devon Bell is focusing on punting; sophomore K Evan Sobriesk made 3 of 6 field goal attempts last season. Nobody said an upgrade had to be pretty.