Fall Camp 2024 Spotlight: Special Teams

SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK:
Fresno State enters its third season with special teams coordinator John Baxter, who has made a huge impact on the success of those units.

The Bulldogs ranked third in the Mountain West Conference in kickoff returns last season and running back Malik Sherrod took one back 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-30 victory over Boise State, the first for Fresno State since 2008 when A.J. Jefferson had a 92-yard touchdown return in a loss to Nevada. Fresno State averaged 22.1 yards per return and had seven go for 30 or more yards during the season, ranking in a tie for seventh in the nation.

In Baxter's first two seasons, Fresno State has had seven and eight kickoff returns of 30 or more yards. The year before he arrived, they had one. The year before that, they had none.

On the flip side, covering kickoffs, the results are similar.

The Bulldogs allowed just two kickoff returns of 30 or more yards in each of the past two seasons. But in 2021, they allowed nine, which was tied for 128th in the nation.

Baxter has some holes to fill in 2024, losing primary return men Erik Brooks and Jaelen Gill as well as punter Carson King, who was a three-year starter.

Who's back: Dylan Lynch enters his second season as the team's primary kicker. He was 24 of 30 on his field goal attempts and scored 112 points, the third-most in a season in program history. His 24 field goals rank second in school history, and fourth in Mountain West history.

Lynch has collected a number of preseason accolades - he was a second-team all-conference selection by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and College Football Network. Lynch also was named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award.

Long snapper Michael Munoz returns. Munoz didn't participate in 2023, but has played in 16 games throughout his career. Punter Nick Verdugo also returns.

Sherrod averaged 29.5 yards on eight returns with the touchdown, and wideout Jalen Moss and running back Devon Rivers have also been taking return reps during fall camp.

Who's new: Punter Clay Lawrence comes to the Valley from Mundijong, Western Australia. He kicked with ProKick Australia and has a background in Australian Rules football.

Lawrence has been competing with Verdugo to be the primary punter.

Long snapper Wesley Brown transferred from Cal.

The room also adds freshman kicker Connor Tripp. Tripp graduated from Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, and helped the team to a CIF CCS DII Championship and a CIF D3-A Norcal Championship. Bellarmine Prep was state runner up in the CIF D3-A division.

What to watch: Lynch will serve as the team's primary kicker this season, but Baxter will have to decide who will be the punter. Not to be overlooked, the Bulldogs also are having to replace the holder on field goals and PATs - those duties last season were handled by King and backup quarterback Logan Fife.

Kick returns have been solid for the Bulldogs the past two seasons, but they need to get more production out of punt returns. With both Brooks and Gill gone, Baxter will have to determine who can fill that role.

Fresno State Athletics

Fall Camp 2024 Spotlight: Special Teams

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Players Mentioned

Erik Brooks

Wesley Brown

Logan Fife

Jaelen Gill

Carson King

Clay Lawrence

Dylan Lynch

Jalen Moss

Michael Munoz

Devon Rivers

Malik Sherrod

Connor Tripp

Nick Verdugo

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