Position Preview: Specialists

PERSONNEL

Returners: Grant Carlson (RSo. – punter), Ben Glines (RJr. – returner), Thomas Hovespian (RFr. – long snapper), Colton Lichtenberg (Sr. - kicker), Jimmy Martin (RJr. – long snapper), Jeff Smith (Sr. – holder), Michael Walker (Sr. – returner)
Newcomers: Danny Longman (Fr. – kicker), Garrett Reilly (Fr. – punter), John Tessitore (Fr. – kicker)

In the kicking game, Lichtenberg is a veteran of 23 games after appearing in all 13 games last season. He hit 12 field goals a year ago, including a season-long 42 yarder in the season opener at Northern Illinois. Lichtenberg was 3-for-3 in the win over the Huskies, nailed the game-winner from 37 yards out with 2:13 remaining in the game and was named the ACC Specialist of the Week for his efforts. He previously appeared in just the season opener in 2016 after kicking in nine games as a freshman in 2015. He hit three field goals that season, including career-long boots from 43 against Notre Dame and Syracuse. Lichtenberg will likely get the opportunity to handle kickoffs for the first time since 2015.

A native of Missouri City, Texas, Carlson has yet to see the field at BC as he redshirted as a freshman in 2016 and did not see game action in 2017. He is the favorite coming out of training camp to handle the punting duties. At Ridge Point High (Texas) High School, Carlson earned Class 5A all-state second team as a senior and junior.

BY THE NUMBERS

#3 Walker, Michael: 13.1 yards per punt return, 23.6 yards per kick return, 1,203 total return yards
#19 Glines, Ben: 5 kick returns, 12.2 yards per return
#99 Lichtenberg, Colton: 12 of 20 on field goals, long of 42 yards, 40 of 43 on PATs, 84 points

Snapping the ball to the kickers this season will once again be Martin, a reserve linebacker. He began his career as a special teams player in 2016 and then went on to serve as the long snapper in all 13 games last season. He has contributed seven tackles in his career. Taking the snaps from Martin and placing the ball down for Lichtenberg will be Smith. A senior receiver and former quarterback, he was the Eagles' place holder in all 13 games last season.

In the return game, Walker is a proven weapon as he led the country with 1,203 combined return yards in his first season in that role at BC. He earned All-ACC third-team selection as a return specialist. Walker ranked sixth nationally and led the ACC with 13.1 yards per punt return. Glines is the leading candidate to line up next to Walker deep on kickoffs. He took five kickoffs last season, averaging 12.2 yards per return.

EXTRA POINTS

Hovsepian walked on to the Eagles last year as a linebacker and special teams player and practices as a long snapper… Longman, originally a soccer player, began kicking late in his high school career… hit on 18 of 19 field goals with a long of 49 yards as a senior… brings a big leg with the ability to also serve as the kickoff specialist… Reilly was an all-conference first team kicker/punter as a senior at Malvern Prep (Pa.)… Tessitore, whose father graduated from BC and is the new voice of ESPN's Monday Night Football, set the single-season record for points by a kicker at Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.)… rated as the No. 9 player in Connecticut and No. 16 kicker nationally by 247Sports.

QUOTES FROM THE STAFF

"I thought Grant [Carlson] punted the ball well. He has been punting the ball well, which is important to us this year and he continued that today. He had some great punts and I'm really pleased with the way he has come on. I was concerned about that coming in. He has shown me that he's really taken a big step forward. I think he and Colton [Lichtenberg] have each upped their game. Jimmy Martin is snapping the ball really well too, which is helping them. Jimmy's snaps have been pinpoint, which is a big improvement from a year ago." – Head Coach Steve Addazio

PERSONNEL

BY THE NUMBERS

EXTRA POINTS

QUOTES FROM THE STAFF

Players Mentioned

Grant Carlson

Ben Glines

Colton Lichtenberg

Danny Longman

Jimmy Martin

Garrett Reilly

Jeff Smith

John Tessitore

Michael Walker

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