We kicked off our look at the 2014 Badgers spring football camp yesterday with a look at the five burning questions that need answering this spring. Moving forward we begin looking at the roster position-by-position, and first up is special teams.
It only seems appropriate to kick off our position previews with the guys doing the kicking on the team, after all.
I know, real boring like, right? Well, for those that were paying attention, you know just how important good special teams play can be. Arguably the lack of consistency in the kicking game cost Wisconsin a few opportunities throughout the year.
Things were so inconsistent with named starter Kyle French that they not only switched kickers, but also announced later in the season that French wouldn't be back in the program for the 2014 season. So, as UW enters spring ball, where do things stand in the kicking game?
Let's check out this group and also take a look at the other key positions around the special teams.
Lost, but not forgotten: Kyle French (K), Curt Phillips (Holder, QB)
Starter(s) Still Here: Drew Meyer (P), Jack Russell (K), James McGuire (LS)
New Faces For Spring: Andrew Endicott (K)
Yes, Endicott is a name some will remember as the kickoff specialist from a season ago, but this is his first go-around with the Badgers in a spring. He was a late addition to the Badgers roster last year, coming aboard in early June last season.
Battles to Be Had: Kicker, 2nd Kick Returner
Jack Russell settled down after a rough start, but there are questions about his overall leg strength. He'll need to be more consistent and be able to hit longer field goals to keep his job. Russell ended the season connecting on 9-of-13 field goals and was a perfect 34-of-34 on PAT's. His long for the season was a 48-yarder.
Clearly hitting on 69 percent of field goal attempts won't get it done at the collegiate level, and this spring that means Russell will likely face some challenge by Endicott. The question is, just how serious will that battle be.
That's when Rafael Gaglianone comes aboard, and he's got nothing but a strong leg to him. Whoever can be more accurate will win the job, and at the end of spring Russell needs to be able to prove the doubters wrong some more.
As for the return game, the bigger question will be at the kick return spots. Jared Abbrederis was a sure-handed punt returner for Wisconsin, and he split time with Kenzel Doe, who is back this season and will likely handle punt return duties once again.
He averaged 7.2 yards per punt return last year, but was also a massive weapon in the kick return game. Few can forget his 91-yard kick return for a touchdown to try and spark the Badgers in the Capital One Bowl.
Behind Doe is the question mark for this spring. Kyle Zuleger was an option last season, but won't be there in 2014. Wisconsin needs to figure out another option or teams are just going to stay away from Doe at all costs.
Name to Watch: Jack Russell
There isn't a player outside of quarterback Joel Stave that was more picked apart last season than Russell. At times the coaching staff had so little faith he could hit a deep field goal they'd rather go for it on 4th down than have him hoist up a 40-plus yard field goal attempt. Russell needs to show that he's got what it takes to be a capable kicker or the staff won't hesitate to go another direction.
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