We've covered the offensive side of the ball, we now take a look at the Panthers special teams and the first starter to be replaced due to graduation. Gone is 3rd team FCS All-American Iain Vance after a stellar season and he will likely be replaced by an incoming freshman. Will the kick returner and punt returner jobs be wide open as well?
Kicker
Freshman Christian Benvenuto
Freshman Matt EhaszPunter
Kick Returner
Punt Returner
*Projected Starters in Bold
Analysis
The Panthers will lean heavily on two talented freshman to fight it out for the kicking battle as Benvenuto, who Rivals.com ranked as the country's 18th best, and preferred walk-on Ehasz will battle for the starting spot. Both are very accurate and have range past 50 yards. They pair have actually worked out together with a kicking coach in South Georgia and will come in ready to compete. The punting duties should be handled by do everything Schlechter who started fall practice as the Panthers' 4th string QB, moved to punter, averaging 44.5 yards per punt and downing 8 of his 31 inside the 20, and even playing WR catching 8 passes for 118 yards.
The Panthers will lean heavily on two talented freshman to fight it out for the kicking battle as Benvenuto, who Rivals.com ranked as the country's 18th best, and preferred walk-on Ehasz will battle for the starting spot. Both are very accurate and have range past 50 yards. They pair have actually worked out together with a kicking coach in South Georgia and will come in ready to compete. The punting duties should be handled by do everything Schlechter who started fall practice as the Panthers' 4th string QB, moved to punter, averaging 44.5 yards per punt and downing 8 of his 31 inside the 20, and even playing WR catching 8 passes for 118 yards.
All three starters are back in the return game and Wilson may be the show stopper after his 97-yard return in the finale vs. Alabama. Wilson and McCray averaged 27.75 per return and both have the capability to instantly turn the field. Matthews took his lumps as the Panthers punt returner but still averaged 9.5 yards per return with a long of 47 yards.