2021 Fall Camp Preview: Special Teams

USC’s 2021 fall camp kicks off with the first full practice on Friday afternoon and we’ll be previewing camp this week with a position-by-position look at the biggest storyline, notable new and returning names and what to expect during the 14 fall camp and 25 total practices before USC starts its season against San Jose State in the Coliseum on Sept. 4.

Previous entries:

The quarterbacks

The running backs

The wide receivers

The tight ends

The offensive line

The defensive line

The linebackers

The defensive backs

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Special Teams

The heart of USC’s special teams is in great shape heading into fall camp. Coach Sean Snyder is regarded as one of the best in the country and he was able to get quick results from a number of different units despite not having a spring ball to work with the team. After a full offseason and returning many impact players, it’s expected that every special teams unit should be able to take another step forward this season.

It starts with the trio of specialists, in punter Ben Griffiths, kicker Parker Lewis and snapper Damon Johnson. Griffiths returns for his third season hoping to top his 46.4-yard per kick mark in 2020. Half his punts last season pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line and he’s been very good about not allowing returns.

Lewis grabbed the kicking job as a true freshman last season and had some expected ups and downs for a first-year college kicker. But the leg strength is undeniable and he should settle into things this year. A strong camp is desirable here because Lewis did miss four of his 13 attempts last season. Still, it was a good first impression for him and something to build on. He also forced touchbacks on 22 of his 38 kickoffs.

Johnson is one of the best long snappers in the country and has been flawless for the Trojans. The backup snappers are Jac Casasante and Nathan Weneta. Weneta transferred to USC from Purdue last year and could be in line to take over for Johnson after this season. It’s easy to feel very good about where USC is with its specialists heading into fall camp.

USC still has Alex Stadthaus on the roster to back up Lewis. He’s handled kickoffs in the past, though he was not called upon last season. Walk-on true freshman Denis Lynch is the other kicker on the roster.

Griffiths will be backed up by walk-ons Will Rose and Michael McAllister.

With the starting specialist positions locked up, the far more interesting special teams aspect of fall camp will be figuring out the returners and coverage teams.

USC has to replace Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns, who had served as the primary punt returners for several seasons. Wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. seemed to take control of the kick returner spot, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him up first there.

Incoming freshmen cornerbacks Prophet Brown and Ceyair Wright, running backs Keaontay Ingram, Kenan Christon, Darwin Barlow and Brandon Campbell, and wide receivers Michael Jackson III, Tahj Washington, K.D. Nixon and Jake Smith could all get looks as returners.

Washington returned 12 kickoffs for 242 yards for Memphis last season. Nixon averaged 23 yards on 33 kickoff returns for Colorado. Barlow returned two kickoffs for TCU. Nobody on the roster brings any significant punt return experience at this level, and that was an area Snyder said he’d like to get more out of in 2021 compared to last season. So that’s definitely an important spot to get locked up during camp.

With so many new arrivals via transfer and this 2021 freshman class, plus all the players taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility, it should be fun to watch the battles for spots on coverage and return teams. Guys like Jayden Williams, Spencer Gilbert, Raymond Scott and Micah Croom have made impacts there and should continue to do so. Walk-on linebacker Danny Lockhart Jr. should be a guy to watch potentially on a few units. And the incoming safeties are right at the top of the list of guys who might be able to use their speed and physical ability to get involved early in their careers.

Special teams work during fall camp can often set the tone for what type of team and season it’s going to be. Guys going full speed with maximum effort during those drills has a way of carrying over to the rest of practice and setting a good pace and energy level.