North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Football Prospectus: Special Teams
6/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 23, 2004
SPECIAL TEAMS
Starters Lost/Returning: 2/0
Lettermen Lost/Returning: 4/2
Special teams may have taken the hardest hit due to graduation, as the top punter in school history, Austin Herbert, and one of the top kick scorers, Adam Kiker, have both completed their eligibility. Another huge blow is the loss of Danny Young, who has been the long snapper for every game of Amato's tenure as head coach.
However, hopes are high that the powerful leg of John Deraney (6-4, 202, *Fr.) can hold up, possibly at both kicking spots. Forty of Deraney's 75 kickoffs last season were touchbacks. Improving each week, Deraney boomed 36 of his last 55 kickoffs into (or out of) the end zone, including 11-of-17 in his last three games of the regular season.
Incoming freshman Tyler Lewis (6-2, 230, Fr.) was a Parade All-American last season and should push Deraney.
Tramain Hall scored two touchdowns on punt returns last season and plans to continue in that capacity in 2004. Lamont Reid ranks fourth in school history in career kickoff returns (24.9), while A.J. Davis showed flashes of brilliance when he returned five kicks for 108 yards in the bowl win over Kansas.
The pride of the Wolfpack special teams has been its block units. The Wolfpack led the ACC for the second straight year with 10 non-offensive touchdowns last season. NC State leads the nation with 31 blocked kicks since the beginning of the 2000 campaign, including five in 2003.
Manny Lawson has five blocked kicks under his belt for his career, which ties as the fourth-best mark in school history.
The NC State Football Prospectus was prepared by Annabelle Vaughan, NC State's Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations.
