LaRosa’s Kentucky Football Special Teams Preview

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The third phase is important. Games are often won or lost based on the kicking game. Kentucky is faced with replacing an All-American punter but returns multiple super-seniors that will significantly contribute to its special teams’ effort. 

Kicking Game 

Matt Ruffolo elected to return for a fifth season after taking advantage of the NCAA’s additional year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Ruffolo finished 2020 ranked third in the SEC after converting 12 of 14 field goal attempts. He went 22/23 on extra points. The Wildcat kicker also set a school record with three made field goals against North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl. Ruffolo bounced back nicely after a rough week-two outing against Ole Miss to become one of the more consistent performers in the league. The Cats will need that consistency to carry over to 2021. 

Chance Poore was UK’s kickoff specialist in 2020. The junior earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after nailing a 28-yard field goal and going 5/5 on extra points against Vanderbilt. Poore was ranked as the nation’s top punter/kicker out of high school and gives UK two capable field goal specialists.   

Kentucky will field a new holder in 2021. Former Cat punter Max Duffy held the duties a year ago. He will potentially be replaced by Wilson Berry, Colin Goodfellow, or Chance Poore. Cade Degraw will serve as the long-snapper for both field goals and punts. The junior started eleven games in 2020. Degraw did have botched snaps against Alabama and Mississippi State last season. He will need to be more consistent and not make similar major errors this fall.

Punter

Replacing a legend is never easy. Max Duffy’s stay in Lexington produced the most decorated career for a punter in program history. The Ray Guy Award Winner and All-American was also a fan favorite. Fellow Australian Wilson Berry signed with the Cats after being named as the number seven ranked punter in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Berry played three years of Australian Rules Football prior to his commitment to the Cats. He is the brother of Pittsburgh Steeler punter and former EKU Colonel Jordan Berry. 

Much like Matt Ruffolo, punter Colin Goodfellow elected for an additional season in Lexington. The Cleveland, Ohio native started two games last season and will compete with Berry for the starting job. Goodfellow averaged 47.7 yards per punt in two starts against Vanderbilt and Alabama.

Returners

Kentucky could field explosive returners in 2021. Nebraska transfer Wan’Dale Robinson is a candidate to earn return duties this fall. Robinson is dynamic with the football in his hands and is on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List. Fellow receiver Josh Ali returned six punts a year ago and averaged 10.3 yards per opportunity. Ali is a super-senior that will benefit from an additional season of college football. 

Zach Johnson was the Cats’ primary kick returner last season. Johnson averaged 20.73 yards per return with a long of 33. Again, the exact personnel that UK will utilize in the return game is yet to be seen. The Wildcats have available difference makers that could bring excitement in the third phase.

Zach Johnson Plays a Key Role  

Zach Johnson’s decision to return for an additional year of eligibility is not discussed as often as other super-seniors on the roster. But, Johnson’s role as the special teams’ leader is equally as important. Johnson has played in 44 career games and brings vast experience to the third phase. He averaged 20.7 yards per kick return a year ago. Johnson registered a 58-yard return against Georgia in 2019 and posted 27.3 yards per return. The Cincinnati product has been a regular figure on highlight reels after making open-field tackles on coverage teams. The senior is a stable force on the special teams’ depth chart that fluctuates during the season. 

Coordinators  

Running backs coach John Settle and safeties coach Frank Buffano share Co-Coordinator duties for Mark Stoops. They’re joined by Quality Control assistant Louie Matsakis. UK has traditionally been an “all hands on deck” staff when it comes to special teams, which means that assistant coaches play a role in leading specific units or personnel. 

Bold Prediction

“Kentucky will return a punt for a touchdown for the first time since Charles Walker took one to the house against New Mexico State in 2016.”

What Does All This Mean? 

Special teams are incredibly important. Kentucky will need a consistent third phase to complement its stout defense and a newly vamped offense in order to enjoy a successful season. Mark Stoops has recruited at a high level in Lexington for many years. Coverage teams should be filled with capable tacklers to go along with veteran specialists. There is an abundance of experience returning for the Cats. Replacing Max Duffy will be difficult. UK cannot afford special teams blunders. It must play clean in the third phase in 2021 and avoid self-inflicted, game-altering errors. 

Enjoy all of the LaRosa’s Kentucky Football Preseason Position Previews: Quarterback, Running Back, Offensive Line, Tight End, Wide Receiver, Defensive Line, Edge Defender, Safeties, Cornerbacks, Secondary