The pieces of the Penn State offense and defense appear to be coming together this week with players announcing their respective decisions on their plans for the 2025 season. But what about the special teams? It looks as though there will not be much turnover in the special teams group going into the 2025 season as four special teams cogs all confirmed they will return to the Nittany Lions next season.
Special teams coordinator [autotag]Justin Lustig[/autotag] shared the encouraging news on social media on Wednesday that kickers [autotag]Ryan Barker[/autotag] and [autotag]Gabe Nwosu[/autotag], punter [autotag]Riley Thompson[/autotag], and long snapper [autotag]Tyler Duzansky[/autotag] are all confirmed to be back with the program next season, which gives the entire special teams unit a little less to worry about this spring.
Thompson punted 51 times last season for an average of 42.8 yards per punt. Nwosu has become Penn State’s primary kickoff specialist with his strong leg often not giving opposing teams a chance to return the football. Barker, a redshirt freshman, was 15 of 18 on field goal attempts and 48 of 49 on extra point attempts this season.
Barker’s return was expected and could lead to a potential transfer decision by Sander Sahaydak. The status of Sahaydak, who was shaky at the start of the season with just 2 of 5 field goals made in four games, is unconfirmed and his absence from Lustig’s post may not be a coincidence. But nothing has been confirmed either way on what this all means for Sahaydak.
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Penn State will likely have its kick and punt returned back next season as well. Nicholas Singleton has been Penn State’s main kickoff return specialist with 14 returns in 15 games last season. Singleton announced his return to the team earlier in the week and he could continue to handle kickoff returns next fall.
Cornerback Zion Tracy is expected to return next season and could continue to be Penn State’s leading punt returner. Tracy had 15 punt returns last season but never really had a threat of a big return. Penn State has lacked much of a return threat in recent years, but sometimes just holding on to the football and not giving up yards is all you need.
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