Depth Charting and 2013 Outlook | Special Teams

SPRING FOCUS

I really won't spend a lot of time here, but more than anything else, I wanted to make sure I took a look at the depth chart and when the players are in terms of eligibility. I think the starters are absolutely set in that it is Bustin and Erxleben.

There was some gnashing of teeth about missed field goals during the spring game, but I'm not going to be much, if any stock into that. Right now, Bustin is the guy, and he was good last year, making 17 of 24 field goals and all 59 extra point attempts. I think the coaching staff felt comfortable with Bustin and were checking out any and all other options. He needed to see if some of the other players could play.

I can't remember who all was there during the spring, but I recall that Seth Mannon was on the roster before the spring, but now he's not on the post-spring roster. He still has a TTU bio, so there's that. I really don't know his status, but he was the one-armed kicker that is as big as an offensive lineman (6-6/252).

The one new guy that I don't recall hearing about is Taylor Symmank. Sometimes a one-armed punter will steal another player's thunder. Anyway, Symmank went to Southern Arkansas his freshman year where he handled all kicking duties, making 3 of 10 field goals and 33 of 35 extra points. Symmank missed everything deep, so he has to work on his leg strength, but he also handled punting duties where he averaged 39.9 yards per punt. For reference purposes, Erxleben averaged 41.68, so Symmank isn't far behind. Plus, Erxleben and Symmank are the only two punters on the team.

ELIGIBILITY REMAINING

The purpose of this chart is to demonstrate the depth and eligibility remaining for returnign players. Any year marked black is a year that the player has available. A true freshman has five years of eligibility to include a possible redshirt year.