2020 Unit Rankings – Special Teams

So far, here’s where the Vols’ units have ranked in the SEC heading into the 2020 season:

• Quarterbacks, No. 4
• Running backs, No. 4
• Wide receivers, No. 10
• Offensive line, No. 2
• Defensive line, No. 2
• Linebackers, No. 8
• Defensive backs, No. 4

Today, we’ll look at special teams.

2020 SEC Special Teams Rankings

	The Tigers must replace kick returner Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but they return their key guys at the other special teams spots, including kicker Cade York, who hit 78% of his 27 field goal attempts, punter Zach Von Rosenberg, and punt returner Derek Stingley. Plus, LSU’s recruiting of the skill positions that generally serve as the pool of available contributors returning punts and kicks (running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs) ranks fourth in the conference again this year.
1	Returning Production				Skill Position Recruiting Ranking
	FGs	PR Yards	Punt Yards	KOR Yards
	21	251	2013	77	4

	Returning Production				Skill Position Recruiting Ranking	The Aggies lose punter Braden Mann but return placekicker Seth Small and chief punt and kick return specialist Ainias Smith.
	FGs	PR Yards	Punt Yards	KOR Yards
2	18	190	57	360	5
	Returning Production				Skill Position Recruiting Ranking	Like the Aggies, the Tigers lose their punter, but return kicker Anders Carlson and kick and punt returner Christian Tutt.
	FGs	PR Yards	Punt Yards	KOR Yards
3	18	313	112	111	2
	Returning Production				Skill Position Recruiting Ranking	The return of phenomenal punt and kick returner Jaylen Waddle puts the Tide at No. 4 almost all by himself.
	FGs	PR Yards	Punt Yards	KOR Yards
4	12	534	1063	234	3

Additional comments

The Vols show up at No. 4 on this list thanks mostly to the return of their kickers. Brent Cimaglia made 85.2% of his field goal attempts last year and has never missed an extra point in 69 attempts. The guy is an excellent 77.4% over his three-year career so far and is improving every year. He has a chance to finish his Tennessee career with the best percentage in program history. Punter Paxton Brooks also returns after having averaged 42 yards per punt last season.

The return game is in a bit of a state of flux. Ty Chandler is back to return kicks, for whatever that’s worth in this age of fair catches on kickoffs, but the team will be looking for a full-time replacement for Marquez Callaway to return punts. I’m feeling pretty good about it being Eric Gray and him doing well with it.

Your thoughts

What do y’all think? Where did we get it right? Where are we wrong?