The Big Ten lost a few of its premier special teams performers through the NFL draft or due to transfers but retained its most prized specialist in Brett Maher, Nebraska’s star kicker and punter. The other kicker who qualified as a star was former Penn State kicker Anthony Fera, who transferred following the sanctions levied on the Nittany Lions program.
Wisconsin will be breaking in a new kicker-punter duo after four-year starters Philip Welch and Brad Nortman left Madison. The Badgers do, however, still have WR Jared Abbrederis, who holds the school record with a 25.8 kickoff return average.
Unless teams have a proven veteran, the special teams unit is always one of the biggest unknowns heading into the season.
1. Nebraska
At 7.7 ppg, Brett Maher was the third-leading scorer in the Big Ten last season behind RB Montee Ball and teammate Rex Burkhead. Maher was 19 for 23 on field goals, including four of four from 40-49 yards out. He also led the conference with a 44.5 punt average. Sophomore Ameer Abdullah provides a substantial threat for Nebraska’s return game as well. Aside from backup RB duties, Abdullah finished ninth in the country with a 29.3 yards per return average on kickoffs.
2. Purdue
Sophomore Raheem Mostert led the country last season with a 33.5 kickoff return average. Junior P Cody Webster was second in the conference last season with a 42.9 punt average, including a season-long 66-yard punt vs. Minnesota. Webster had three games of more than a 50-yard punting average last season.
Senior K Dan Conroy garnered All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore and then honorable mention last season as he was a perfect 48 of 48 on extra point attempts. P Mike Sadler was seventh in the conference with a 41.1 average on 61 punts. His season was highlighted with eight punts, averaging 50.1 yards in the Outback Bowl win vs. Georgia last year. Sophomore Nick Hill is expected to resume return duties after leading returner Keshawn Martin departed for the NFL. Hill was ranked the No. 11 kick returner by Phil Steele.
4. Ohio State
Junior K Drew Basil made 16 of 19 field goals last season, including 5 for 7 from 40-49 yards away. When RB Jordan Hall returns from his foot injury, he’ll be one of the biggest return threats in the conference. Hall was fifth in the Big Ten last season after averaging 26.3 yards per return. Three-year starting punter Ben Buchanan (41.3 average) rounds out the Buckeyes’ special teams.
5. Minnesota
The Gophers boast Troy Stoudermire at kick returner, the Big Ten’s all-time leading returner with 3,102 yards. However, the rest of Minnesota’s special teams is more dubious. P Dan Oreske had the second-lowest punt average in the conference last season at 37.0. K Jordan Wettstein was 6 of 9 last season in five games, including a 51-yard boot vs. Illinois in the season finale.
For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.
