2024 IU Football Position Preview: Special Teams

The IU Football roster underwent major changes this offseason. With 31 incoming transfers, the roster looks completely different ahead of the 2024 season.

Of the many changes to the roster, the changes to the special teams unit seem to have gone under the radar.

While punter James Evans returned to Indiana for his senior season, the other key positions will have new faces starting in 2024. 2023 starting kicker Chris Freeman and star returner Jaylin Lucas both transferred and were replaced by the new coaching staff.

Let’s take a look at what the 2024 special teams unit looks like for IU Football.

More IU Football Position Previews: Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker, Secondary

Special Teams Room

Kickers

Derek McCormick R-Sr. 6-3 210

Nicolas Radicic R-Fr. 5-11 193

Josh Placzek Fr. 5-11 201

Quinn Warren Fr. 6-6 222

Punters

James Evans Sr. 6-1 217

Alejandro Quintero R-Jr. 6-0 202

Longsnappers

Mark Langston R-Sr.+ 6-0 225

Jaxon Miller R-So. 6-0 239

IU Football added a few new faces who will make an impact on special teams in 2024

Indiana’s Myles Price (4) during practice at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Starting Kicker

Redshirt senior Derek McCormick is expected to replace Chris Freeman after transferring from the University of Louisiana Monroe this offseason.

McCormick appeared in nine games (missed the final three due to injury) and connected on 10-12 field goal attempts in 2023. He made both of his attempts from 50 yards and connected on 16-17 of his extra-point attempts.

With one year of eligibility left, McCormick will likely handle the kickoff duties in addition to his role as the placekicker for IU Football.

Punter

New Zealander James Evans heads into his final season with IU Football after a strong showing in 2023.

Evans was named third-team All-Big Ten by the conference media panel after setting a school record for single-season punt average after averaging 45.8 yards per punt. He is also the school leader in career punt average of players with multiple punts with an average of 43.9 yards per punt.

He also had 61 career punts of over 5o yards, and 63 career punts that were downed inside the 20-yard line.

Evans had not played his first down of American Football until the 2021 season opener but has quickly adjusted and has become a weapon on special teams for IU Football.

Another strong season in 2024 will solidify Evans’ place as one of the best punters in Indiana football history.

Kick Returners

Indiana lost star returner Jaylin Lucas who was the team’s primary kick returner and punt returner in 2o23 after he transferred to Florida State. The coaching staff made sure to address the loss by adding replacements in the transfer portal.

Kickoff

Ke’Shawn Williams is expected to return to kickoffs for IU Football after transferring from Wake Forest this offseason.

In a crowded wide receiver room, the return game is a clear place where Williams can make an impact for Indiana.

In his four years with Wake Forest, Williams returned 33 kickoffs for an average return of 19.8 yards.

Williams has improved his return average each year of his college career with Wake Forest. As a freshman, he averaged 16.4 yards per return, then increased it to 18.8 as a sophomore. As a junior, he averaged 19.6 yards per return and then increased that number once again to his career-high average of 23.4 yards.

Williams seems like the obvious choice to replace Lucas as Indiana football’s primary kickoff returner.

Punt

Myles Price is another receiver who will have a chance to make an impact on special teams. Price transferred from Texas Tech after four years where he played primarily as a slot receiver and punt returner.

In 2023, Price averaged 19.7 yards per punt return on 10 returns. His dominant showing included a career-long 43-yard return for the Red Raiders.

Heading into his fifth season, Price will have a huge opportunity to showcase his abilities in the return game for IU Football.

SEE ALSO: New Indiana football coordinators followed Curt Cignetti because of culture and trust. Now, they feel ‘something special happening’.

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