While a strong young defense and offense loaded with skill position talent made headlines for ASU football last season, its special teams unit was one of the best in the Pac-12. This season, the Sun Devils return many of those same specialists, each member more experienced and likely improved.
Kicker
At placekicker, redshirt junior Cristian Zendejas, the Pac-12 leader in field goals made last season, returns as the clear-cut starter and a member of the Lou Groza Award watchlist, given to the nation's best placekicker.
In 2019, Zendejas assumed the job only after the incumbent Brandon Ruiz suffered an injury before the opening game. After knocking down 23-27 attempts, he solidified himself as the long-term option, prompting Ruiz to transfer.
Although Zendejas’ accuracy was elite, his season-long field goal was a modest 43 yards. However, he said his range has improved significantly.
“I want to be perfect inside 40 (yards), and comfortable inside 52,” Zendejas said.
Zendejas' backup is graduate student Logan Tyler, who will handle kickoff duties. Tyler is also more than capable of filling in at punter, as he started in that position at Florida State for three years before transferring to ASU.
Punter and long snapper
ASU returns redshirt junior Michael Turk at punter, who was unparalleled within the Pac-12 last season, leading the conference in punts, punting yards and yards-per-punt. He was accordingly named First Team All-Pac-12 and was honored as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's best punter.
After declaring for the NFL Draft but going unselected, the NCAA reinstated Turk’s eligibility due to COVID related complications, Turk said.
ASU special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum said Turk is still rapidly improving as a “young punter” who didn’t play the position in high school, and that he has made strides with his directional punting and consistency.
Both Turk’s and Zendejas’ success is made possible by redshirt senior long snapper Erik Dickerson, whose consistent delivery earned him a spot on the Mannelly Award watch list for the best long snapper in college football.
“I tell (Dickerson) all the time that he's one of the most underrated players,” Turk said.
Return and Coverage Unit
While those three positions remain solid, the Sun Devils will have a hole to fill in the return game, where they lost Brandon Aiyuk, who led the Pac-12 in both kickoff and punt yards-per-return.
“That's one area where we've got quite a few guys (who are) very capable,” Slocum said. “They're good runners or they can make big plays, so you're probably going to see a number of guys in those roles.”
Currently, junior running back Rachaad White and redshirt senior cornerback Jack Jones are slated to start at kick and punt returner, respectively.
When Tyler and Turk boot the ball downfield, opponents will be met by an ASU coverage unit that was very strong last season, holding opponents to just 21.1 yards per kick return and 7.7 per punt return, both more than five yards less than the Sun Devils’ own averages.
Depth Chart
On Monday, ASU released its special teams depth chart for its opening game vs. No. 20 USC.
Special teams is largely about limiting errors, a fact that is particularly relevant as teams across the country have been subjected to abbreviated preparation time.
Returning such an experienced group gives ASU an advantage in that respect. While the team’s special teams unit may not be the flashiest, it is almost certain to be one of its strengths.
ASU begins their season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against USC on Saturday at 10 a.m. MST.
Reach the reporter at cbreber@asu.edu and follow @carsobi on Twitter.
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.
