The last time the Nittany Lions’ special teams unit stepped foot inside Beaver Stadium, there were a lot of questions.
With wide receiver Graham Zug and former walk on Russell Nye punting, it didn’t take long for the Lions to understand Zug’s 37.5-yard average needed a little work.
However, Zug may have been the Lions’ only choice during the spring game, as Anthony Fera didn’t participate after being cited for underage drinking.
But shortly after the Blue-White game, the Lions announced punter Alex Butterworth would be a late addition to the recruiting class. With Fera and Nye offering Butterworth competition, kicker Collin Wagner said the team now has plenty of options at punter.
Though Wagner was quick to add the position is still “wide open” heading into fall practice, he said Fera and Nye have punted pretty well. Butterworth enrolled for the second summer session, thus allowing him to workout with his teammates before their first official practice.
Regardless of the punting situation, Wagner said he’s trying to add more distance to his kicks.
“I’m just trying to be able to hit from 51, 52, 53 [yards] give it a chance from there,” Wagner said. “It’s all different [during the summer], but as far as me just going out kicking by myself, I can go out 55, 56 [yards].”
Wagner has been asked if having a new quarterback made him focus on improving his distance, but he said it’s more so about him building off the confidence he established after completing one full season.
As for the Lions’ return game, cornerback Chaz Powell should be receiving most of the reps at kick returner. Powell was the Lions’ top return man last season and despite his longest kick return totaling 54 yards, Powell’s 16 returns last year still make him the most experienced.
Regardless of who steps up in addition to Powell, running back Evan Royster is certain he won’t be a part of punt returns.
Though he fielded six returns last season, the centerpiece of the Lions’ offense is happy to share his punt returning duties with someone else.
Royster said he’s certain other players can take care of the return game and said he “doubts” he’ll be too involved with special teams.
“We have some guys that can step up and do the return game and stuff like that,” Royster said. “I doubt I’ll be too involved with that, but definitely catching the ball out of the backfield and trying to split out. I think we’ll try and get into that.”
The platoon of Justin Brown, Drew Astorino and Zug may be the punt returners the Lions lean on heading into the season.
The Lions will have to decide which direction they want to go with the punt returners and also nail down a punter before the team prepares for its Sept. 4 opener against Youngstown State.