Penn State 2018 Position Preview: Special Teams

Can special teams be a strongpoint for Penn State this season? 

Penn State went through a stretch a few years back in which it really struggled in the area of special teams. Reduced scholarships due to NCAA sanctions hurt the depth chart when it came to special teams. However, that area has trended up over the last few seasons. Will that trend continue in 2018?

Let’s begin with perhaps the strongest part — punting. Blake Gillikin has blossomed into one of the best punters in not only the Big Ten, but also the nation. His big leg and ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory show why he was a rare, three-star recruit as a punter.

Gillikin has been Penn State’s punter over the last two years, and that won’t change this season. A True Freshman All-American his first season and a second-team All-Big Ten player last season, Gillikin sits second in school history with a career punt average of 43 yards per punt.

Firmly entrenched as the punter for 2018, the talented Gillikin could also find himself handling the kicking duties for the Nittany Lions. Mr. Automatic, Tyler Davis, graduated, and Alex Barbir, a three-star recruit, left the program, so there’s a giant hole at that position.

Carson Landis, who did the kicking during the Blue-White Game, will certainly be in the mix, but don’t be surprised if Gillikin handles the kicking as well as the punting.

Penn State is clearly set at long snapper, as veteran Kyle Vassey returns to handle the job.

Just like at the kicker position, it’s not exactly clear yet who will be retuning the kicks for the Nittany Lions this season.

Running back Saquon Barkley handled the kick return duties a year ago, while backup running back Miles Sanders had the job the year prior to that. Sanders is now the starting running back, so there’s a chance the coaching staff chooses not to have him return kicks.

The better choice for kick returner would be senior Brandon Polk, or redshirt freshman K.J. Hamler.

Cornerback John Reid was the primary punt returner in 2016, but missed all of last season due to a knee injury. That opened the door for wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins to return punts. Thompkins did a fantastic job last year, racking up 319 return yards and a touchdown.

Those efforts earned Thompkins second-team All-Big Ten honors as a return specialist.

It’s unlikely that the coaching staff would want to risk Reed due to his recovery form injury, so Thompkins is the logical choice to at least begin the year as Penn State’s punt returner.

There could be a bit of an adjustment period for part of Penn State’s special teams this year, but in the end, the Nittany Lions appear to be solid in that area this season.