Iowa football dissects special teams turnover, transformation
Special teams have long been a staple for Iowa. This year, the unit is undergoing more changes than anywhere else with turnover and transition.
It cannot be overstated how important special teams have been to the Iowa Hawkeyes during Kirk Ferentz's tenure. The Hawkeyes are among the top teams in the nation in receiving contributions from this unit, be it field position, big returns, or field goals. This year, Iowa has a lofty task ahead of it.
Long-time special teams coordinator LeVar Woods departed for Michigan State, All-American returner Kaden Wetjen is headed to the NFL, and four-year place kicker Drew Stevens is joining him. Oh, and Iowa is welcoming in a new punter, a key part of their game plan. Head coach Kirk Ferentz talked about all of the turnover and how Iowa is navigating a new era of special teams.
"I don't mean this disrespectfully to LeVar because LeVar is an excellent special teams coach, but we lost some all-time performers. You talk about the job that Drew did out there at place-kicking. Our punter did a really nice job and then Wetjen, you know, I don't know if I've been around a better return guy.
I don't think I have in my time. "You just talk about losing some guys that were really good performers. That's the focus right now is getting those guys where they're comfortable and then also at some point they're going to play into games.