Nebraska has been the place where some amazing punters and kickers played their college football. In the not so distant past, Husker fans have simply hoped for “not disastrous” when it came time to kick the pigskin.
Solid players return and intriguing newcomers will be there to push them. What does Matt Rhule have in store for the third phase of the game?
Place Kickers
Tristan Alvano (returning starter; sophomore) – As a freshman, Alvana made nine of the 15 field goals he attempted (60%). He was perfect on all 27 PATs. His season highlight is the 55 yarder he made at Purdue. Alvano is also good at putting kickoffs in the end zone – showcasing good leg strength. If he can improve his accuracy on the field goals, he can solidify that spot for Nebraska for several seasons.
Spencer Pankratz (junior) – He spent two seasons at Furman (without using up any eligibility because of Covid and a redshirt) before transferring to Nebraska but hasn’t appeared in a game in his two years with the Huskers.
Nico Ottomanelli (true freshman) – He made six of eight field goals in high school, including a 50 yarder. Ed Foley has some promising talent to develop behind Alvano.
Graduated – Timmy Bleekrode (Nebraska’s primary starter in 2022)
Punters
If we were an Iowa site, this group would be listed first. But, we aren’t.
Brian Buschini (returning starter; senior) – “Boomschini” has been good for the Huskers since transferring from Montana where he was the 2021 FCS punter of the year. He averaged 40.7 yards/punt in 2023 with 35% of those downed inside the 20. Opposing teams only managed 20 return yards all season on punts vs Buschini and the coverage unit. That is very impressive. If Buschini can take a step forward in consistency, he will be a very good punter at the FBS level. He handled some of the kickoff duties for Nebraska in 2023
Jacob Hahl (senior) – The Lincoln native transferred from Nebraska Wesleyan after the 2021 season and has not appeared in a game for the Huskers.
Kamdyn Koch (true freshman) – Koch? YES, he is Sam Koch’s son. A top-five recruit at this position, he followed dad’s footsteps to Memorial Stadium. I’m guessing that the plan is to redshirt him (barring an injury to Buschini), but you never know.
Long Snappers
Camden Witucki (junior) – He is the only long snapper on the roster right now, but has not appeared in a game in his first four seasons in Lincoln.
Graduated – Marco Ortiz (starter in 2023). Ortiz was a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly award (top long snapper in the nation).
Punt Returner
The Huskers on PR duties last season were Alex Bullock, Tommi Hill, Ethan Nation, and Billy Kemp. Kemp and Bullock are gone, leaving Hill and Nation as players with return experience on the roster.
Nation returned seven punts for 30 yards (3.3 avg). Hill returned one for one yard. Presumably, that means Nation is the clubhouse leader to be the first one out on a return.
New faces that could factor in: Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda’s name was brought up in one of the spring football press conferences. Caleb Benning has been mentioned as an athlete that could fit into the return game by Husker media.
Kick Returner
Seven Huskers returned at least one kick with Tommi Hill handling six (24 yard average). Rahmir Johnson brought back three with a 34 yard average return. One name to watch is Kwinten Ives, a redshirt freshman RB. He could be a regular back there in 2024.
Overall Thoughts
Husker special teams felt less like a massive liability in 2023 than it was during Frost’s tenure. Progress?!?
Solid play in this phase of the game…boring if you will…is my wish. While I’d love to see a star kicker/punter or slippery return man emerge, I will be happy and satisfied with solid.
Your thoughts? What are you hoping to see in special teams in 2024?
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