Fall camp starts up Friday morning! I am jacked up!!
Each day this week we will preview certain position groups to get you set for the 2021 season.
Today we will take a look at the specialists.
We’ll start with the deep snapper, Reeves Blankenship. Blankenship is back for his 4th season in 2021. The Springfield, LA native was a 2nd team All-CUSA selection in 2019 & 2020. ROCK SOLID.
Jacob Barnes returns for his third season in Ruston as a K/P. Barnes was the primary kicker and punter in 2020. As a kicker, Barnes converted on 12/14 FGs, long of 51. He was also 33/33 on PATs. As a punter, Barnes averaged only 37.2 yards per punt on 49 punts. Barnes made the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2020 + was a C-USA Honorable Mention selection.
Cesar Barajas is a transfer from Southern University that was brought in this off-season to compete at both kicker and punter. Barajas was 4/4 on FGs at Southern during the spring season with a long of 49. As a punter, Barajas averaged 42.4 yards per punt on 16 punts. Barajas should officially be added to Tech's roster this week.
Austin McCready also transferred in this offseason. McCready comes to LA Tech after spending his freshman season at Memphis. McCready is from New Orleans, LA. McCready averaged 44 yards per punt as a senior at John Curtis HS in 2019.
Arlind Bengu (Avon, OH) and Caleb Phillips (Ruston, HS) will also be in camp. Bengu is more of a punter, Phillips can both kick and punt.
Phillips film:
Smoke Harris is back in 2021 as the punt returner for Dennis Smith’s unit. Harris averaged 21.5 yards per return in 2020, which ranked 3rd nationally.
Wayne Toussant made the decision to transfer during the off-season after being named 1st team All-CUSA as a kick returner in 2020.
Marcus Williams, Harlan Dixon, Isaiah Graham, Jawaun Johnson, Bub Means, Cedric Woods, and others will get a chance to replace Toussant. Keep an eye on CJ McWilliams, he’s a dark horse candidate to win the kick return job.
Position Battles:
Place Kicker: Jacob Barnes, Cesar Barajas
Punter: Jacob Barnes, Cesar Barajas, Austin McCready, Arlind Bengu, Caleb Phillips
*The goal is to not have the kicker be the punter as well. Too hard on the leg.
Kickoffs: Cesar Barajas, Austin McCready
Kick Return: Marcus Williams, Harlan Dixon, Isaiah Graham, Jawaun Johnson, Bub Means, Cedric Woods, CJ McWilliams
I can say this confidently, this special teams unit will be the best that Tech has had since Holtz has been here. Take it to the bank. Dennis Smith worked his tail off this off-season adding to the specialists room to give increase the talent + up the competition.
Each day this week we will preview certain position groups to get you set for the 2021 season.
Today we will take a look at the specialists.
We’ll start with the deep snapper, Reeves Blankenship. Blankenship is back for his 4th season in 2021. The Springfield, LA native was a 2nd team All-CUSA selection in 2019 & 2020. ROCK SOLID.
Jacob Barnes returns for his third season in Ruston as a K/P. Barnes was the primary kicker and punter in 2020. As a kicker, Barnes converted on 12/14 FGs, long of 51. He was also 33/33 on PATs. As a punter, Barnes averaged only 37.2 yards per punt on 49 punts. Barnes made the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2020 + was a C-USA Honorable Mention selection.
Cesar Barajas is a transfer from Southern University that was brought in this off-season to compete at both kicker and punter. Barajas was 4/4 on FGs at Southern during the spring season with a long of 49. As a punter, Barajas averaged 42.4 yards per punt on 16 punts. Barajas should officially be added to Tech's roster this week.
Austin McCready also transferred in this offseason. McCready comes to LA Tech after spending his freshman season at Memphis. McCready is from New Orleans, LA. McCready averaged 44 yards per punt as a senior at John Curtis HS in 2019.
Arlind Bengu (Avon, OH) and Caleb Phillips (Ruston, HS) will also be in camp. Bengu is more of a punter, Phillips can both kick and punt.
Phillips film:
Smoke Harris is back in 2021 as the punt returner for Dennis Smith’s unit. Harris averaged 21.5 yards per return in 2020, which ranked 3rd nationally.
Wayne Toussant made the decision to transfer during the off-season after being named 1st team All-CUSA as a kick returner in 2020.
Marcus Williams, Harlan Dixon, Isaiah Graham, Jawaun Johnson, Bub Means, Cedric Woods, and others will get a chance to replace Toussant. Keep an eye on CJ McWilliams, he’s a dark horse candidate to win the kick return job.
Position Battles:
Place Kicker: Jacob Barnes, Cesar Barajas
Punter: Jacob Barnes, Cesar Barajas, Austin McCready, Arlind Bengu, Caleb Phillips
*The goal is to not have the kicker be the punter as well. Too hard on the leg.
Kickoffs: Cesar Barajas, Austin McCready
Kick Return: Marcus Williams, Harlan Dixon, Isaiah Graham, Jawaun Johnson, Bub Means, Cedric Woods, CJ McWilliams
I can say this confidently, this special teams unit will be the best that Tech has had since Holtz has been here. Take it to the bank. Dennis Smith worked his tail off this off-season adding to the specialists room to give increase the talent + up the competition.
