How the Missouri Tigers’ special teams unit is shaping up this spring for fall 2025
Mizzou special teams coordinator Erik Link wasn’t feeling shy.
Some coaches don’t show much emotion when speaking to the media. While Link wasn’t exactly boisterous, his eyes widened at the mention of several topics — including junior wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.’s elite punt return skills.
The Mississippi State transfer averaged 9.6 yards per return on 16 chances last season; out of the 35 FBS players with at least 16 punt returns in 2024, that average tied Clemson junior wideout Antonio Williams for No. 16.
“He’s just super-dynamic with the ball. He has great change of direction,” Link said after a recent practice. “He’s got the make-you-miss that you’re looking for.”
In theory, Coleman Jr. could help remedy an issue that’s been prevalent for most of MU’s time in the Southeastern Conference. Entering last season, the Tigers had averaged about a ninth-place finish in punt return yards since joining the SEC in 2012, including 2023, when Mizzou finished dead last.
Those issues didn’t improve much last season, as receivers Luther Burden III and Daniel Blood combined for just eight punt returns, the fewest in the SEC for a team’s top two punt returners.
Blood’s four returns tallied a whopping minus-4 yards. While Burden had one return for 24 against Vanderbilt, his other three went for just 7.
Prior to last season, Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz talked about eliminating “trash yards” on punt returns; when the term was brought up Tuesday, Link’s eyes widened again.
“The return game is so much about the other 10 (players),” Link said. “That makes a huge difference.”
Receiver Marquis Johnson was Mizzou’s primary returner on kickoffs last season. With 18 attempts, he was one of nine SEC players to tally double-digits in that category. But his average )(21.1 yards per return) ranked No. 7 in that group.
The speedy Johnson will likely remain in the mix for kickoff returns this coming season as the Tigers seek better performance from that spot in 2025.
“I think you’re going to see some new faces back there,” Link said. “But I think I would be a fool not to have Marquis Johnson back there.”
Elsewhere on special teams, Mizzou got a boost in the transfer portal via Connor Weselman at punter. The Stanford graduate split time with Aidan Flintoft in 2023, punting 22 times for an average of 42.2 yards per kick.
Although Flintoft took all of Stanford’s punting reps last season, Weselman kept his starting role as the Cardinal’s holder on field goals and extra points.
Mizzou experienced an exodus of specialists over the offseason. Luke Bauer, MU’s primary punter and holder last year, entered the transfer portal. Sophomore punter Orion Phillips, who transferred in from Murray State last year, transferred out to Utah. Freshman Will Safris also entered the portal and eventually committed to Utah State.
Although Link mentioned the possibility of bringing in another specialist via the portal during the spring window, he was complimentary of Weselman.
“I think he’s really got a pro mindset and mentality when it comes to his approach and just how he works on a day-to-day basis,” the special teams coordinator said. “He’s been awesome to work with. I think he brings a level of maturity to the room, which is really, really good.”
At kicker, Kansas City product Blake Craig returns after an up-and-down redshirt freshman season. Once again, Link wasn’t shy to talk about the inconsistencies there.
“I don’t think it’s any secret,” he said. “When you look at the statistics and look at the numbers, there’s very specific areas that he needs to improve in from an execution standpoint.”
Craig made 17 of 18 kicks from inside of 40 yards, and he was also 6-of-9 from at least 50 yards. His main problem area came between 40 and 49, where he was 1-of-7. His 14.3% clip was the worst of any kicker with at least five attempts from that range and he missed multiple kicks in a game three times, including in a 30-27 overtime win over Vanderbilt.
Craig is the first to admit those numbers must improve.
“I’ve grown up,” he said. “I’ve dealt with those situations in-game. Just having that year under my belt is obviously important.”
While Johnson has electric potential in the kick-return game, most of his contributions to the Tigers have come as a receiver. Following a freshman season that saw him register almost 30 yards per receptions, he remained a big-play threat as a sophomore, catching 25 passes for 352 yards.
His lone touchdown came in the Music City Bowl, where he also set single-game career-highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (122).
With the departures of Burden, Theo Wease Jr. and Mookie Cooper, the Texas native will step into a new role, one for which he said he feels well-prepared. He’ll also be catching passes from a new starting quarterback, possibly Penn State transfer Beau Pribula.
“I wouldn’t say replacing it,” Johnson said of his former teammates’ production. “I would just say continuing it. They left a good legacy. They left a good place here. I’m just here to continue it.”
Johnson said he was nervous when he first arrived at Mizzou in 2023. But a handful of big plays over the course of the season, he said, helped put him at ease.
Now he’s in a leadership position, mentoring a slew of promising young receivers that includes freshmen Shaun Terry II and Donovan Olugbode.
While the two newcomers are unlikely to play as much as Johnson this fall, they have already developed a positive relationship with him. Johnson said Terry reminds him of a younger version of himself.
“They brought back my joy,” Johnson said. “They bring a lot of me out me. I don’t know how to say it, but I’m just very happy when they’re around.”
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