By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Good special teamers can be game changers, whether by flipping the field with a punt, an automatic three points inside the 50, or as a threat to go the distance on a return.
The SuperWest footprint lost a handful of such players to the NFL or transfers this offseason, but the cupboard is far from bare.
Today, we look at the region’s top special-teams players for the upcoming 2025 season.
1. Will Ferrin, K, BYU
Ferrin was the co-Big X11 Special Teams Player of the year in 2024.
His 24 field goals set a single-season BYU record.
He will find himself on the Groza watchlist this summer as the clutch kicker will be set for a big 2025.
2. Caden Chittenden, K, USC
The Trojans got a big boost in the transfer portal with the addition of Chittenden from UNLV.
As a freshman with the Rebels, Chittenden connected on 26 of 33 field goal attempts, with three of those misses from 50+.
He hit on a season-long 52-yarder to showcase his big leg, ending the season hitting on 86.2% of his kicks from inside of 50 yards.
All good enough to earn MW freshman of the year awards.
3. Jesus Gomez, K, Arizona State
Kicking was an issue for the Sun Devils last season, and the fifth-year senior from Mexico City should bring a much-needed boost.
Gomez brings a huge leg with him from Eastern Michigan.
With the Eagles last year, he hit on 20 of his 25 FG attempts with a long of 57 yards.
4. Parker Kingston, RET, BYU
Kingston was one of just three players in the nation last season with multiple punts returned for a touchdown, logging two on the season.
His 14.8 yards per punt return was the second-best in the country.
The Cougars boast one of the best special teams units in the nation, and the rising senior is a big reason why.
5. Makai Lemon, RET, USC
Lemon is an electric playmaker all-around.
He should enter the season as a candidate for the Biletnikoff award as the best receiver in the nation, and could end up as the best returner in America as well.
In 2024, he was sixth nationally with a 27.1-yard average on 19 kickoff returns with a long of 80 yards. Last fall, he was 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in combined return yards with 514.
6. Sam Vander Haar, P, BYU
Vander Haar saw 14 of his 33 punts land inside the 20-yard line last season.
For his sophomore season, he averaged 42.8 yards per boot.
This season, he could be a field flipper for the Cougs.
7. Tyler King, RET, New Mexico State
King was fourth in the nation in kickoff returns in 2024 with Wyoming.
His 28.1 yards per return is the second-best among players returning in 2025.
King has the speed and vision to break one off in any situation. The question is if an uptick in WR reps with the Aggies will limit his special teams usage.
8. Leyton Smithson, RET, Washington State
Smithson made the switch from WR to Safety for 2024, but he was a difference maker for WSU on kickoff returns last fall.
He averaged 23.0 per kick return, which ranked 26th best nationally.
His 599 return yards—all on kicks—was the sixth highest total nationally among all returners, both punts and KOs.
9. Dylan Lynch, K, Fresno State
Lynch slipped a bit in 2024, going 13-of-20 on FGs for the Bulldogs after a stellar sophomore campaign in 2023 in which he was 24 for 30.
He struggled in the Bowl game last year, missing all three field goal attempts in the overtime loss to Northern Illinois.
Look for him to have a bounce-back year this fall. The senior has a big leg and is a true weapon on kickoffs. So long as his head is in the right place, his leg will be fine in 2025.
10. Jeremiah Patterson, RET, Arizona
Patterson was impactful in the return game for the Wildcats in 2024.
His total return yardage on kicks and punts was 674 yards and was the third highest in the nation.
On kickoffs, he averaged 22.1 yards per return and totaled 78 yards on 14 punt returns.
11. Jalen Moss, RET, Arizona State
Moss was a second-team All-Mountain West Punt Returner as a sophomore in 2024 while at Fresno State.
His 12.8-yard average over 18 returns last season was the seventh-best mark in the nation, and he returned one of them for six.
He also tallied 15.2 yards per kick return last season. He will be a threat to go the distance on any return at ASU.
12. Grady Gross, K, Washington
Gross has made some big kicks for the Huskies over the last two seasons.
He is also looking at a bit of a bounce-back season this fall. After connecting on 82% of his FGs in 2023, he slipped to 69% in 2024.
Gross comes up big in the clutch and is a weapon from inside of 50 yards.
Also Notable
• Jabari Bates, RET, San Jose State
• Zachary Card, RET, Oregon State
• Clay Lawrence, P, Fresno State
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
